Mysore/Mysuru: As part of International Childhood Cancer Day, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Mysuru, had organised an awareness programme in city recently.

Experts deliberated on various topics of importance, about prevalence, detection and treatment. While giving a comprehensive overview of various cancers prevalent among children, the experts stressed on preventive measures including early screening and emphasised for wider community participation to raise awareness on the disease.

Speaking on the occasion,  Dr. M.N. Ravi, Clinical Director of Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, said “Childhood cancers are not uncommon and include blood cancers, brain and kidney tumours, bone and eye cancers. Children have warning symptoms like fever and headache, bone pain, lethargy, weight loss and pallor. The International Childhood Cancer Day is a global campaign endorsed by Narayana Health to raise awareness and extend support to children with cancers and their families.”

Paediatric Oncology Expert Dr. Tarangini Durugappa said, “A cancer diagnosis is upsetting at any age especially so when the patient is a child.  Each year approximately 1 million new cancer cases are diagnosed in India and 3 percent of these occur in children. The most common childhood cancer includes Leukemia (Blood Cancer), Brain Tumour and Lymphoma. The majority of childhood cancer is curable with earlier diagnosis and management in a dedicated Paediatric Haematology Oncology setup.”