Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 13: Marking Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, doctors have called on parents to stay alert to early symptoms to ensure timely testing and treatment, as India reports an estimated 50,000–75,000 new cases of childhood cancer each year.

“Leukaemia, lymphoma and central nervous system tumours are the most common cancers in children,” said Dr Annie Q Hasan, Head of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at a private hospital. She noted that inherited conditions such as Neurofibromatosis, Retinoblastoma, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Fanconi anaemia, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau disease and Down syndrome can trigger mutations or chromosomal abnormalities, increasing cancer risk.

Genetic testing can help identify certain cancers early, enabling timely intervention. Consultant Paediatrician and Intensivist Dr Kanchan S Channawar added that some cancerous cells may even start forming before birth during foetal development. “The faster these abnormal cells grow, the earlier cancer manifests. Unlike adults, children often respond better to chemotherapy and recover faster,” she said.

Dr Kanchan warned that genetic mutations, prenatal exposure to radiation, drugs or chemicals, infections such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), immune system disorders, environmental pollution and parental lifestyle habits can all contribute to childhood cancers.

Key warning signs include unexplained fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, joint pain, headaches, abdominal pain, swollen lymph nodes and pale skin, doctors advised. Early recognition and prompt medical care remain crucial for better outcomes.