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September marks the month of Childhood Cancer Awareness. The time of the year wherein we honor children and survivors affected by pediatric cancer with the goal of raising awareness and continuous research as well as interventions to help fight off this disease. The causes of childhood cancer have been the subject of numerous research, yet only a small percentage of these tumors are linked to a child's environment or lifestyle. According to World Health Organization, each year approximately 400,000 children develop cancer, and this remains the leading cause of death for many children under the age of 14. Leukemias, brain tumors, lymphomas, and solid tumors including neuroblastoma and Wilms tumors are the most prevalent types of cancer in children. In India, Only about 100 pediatric oncologists diagnose 60,000 instances of children cancer annually. As a result, this study was carried out to evaluate South Indian undergraduate medical students' understanding, attitudes, and awareness of children cancer.
The diagnosis of juvenile cancer is difficult, and a variety of factors must be taken into consideration. Lack of awareness of the symptoms and warning signs of children cancer causes doctors to postpone making a diagnosis and starting treatment. Since early detection of kid cancer provides the possibility for prompt treatment while the disease burden is still in its early stages; early detection of childhood cancer is a crucial goal in pediatric oncology. Thus, the prognosis may be better and a cure might be possible with few side effects or long-term repercussions. In order to uncover the best ways to improve the understanding of our future main caregivers and spark their enthusiasm in this field, a poll was conducted of undergraduate students to learn how much they were aware of childhood cancer and how they felt about a career in pediatric oncology. It is important that doctors and pediatricians are well-equipped to identify and recommend patients in the right direction. Children with cancer need our voices for the funding and awareness that they need. Let us show our support by speaking up for kids with cancer, donate if we can, and to commemorate this event – wear gold as a symbolism of for all forms of cancer affecting children.
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Written by: Cherey Canales, CRS Newsletter
For more information about Childhood Cancer Awareness Month:
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