Cured of Cancer

70% children can be cured of cancer

Pooja Kashyap, TNNĀ Feb 15, 2011, 08.53pm IST

PATNA: Seventy per cent of cancer-affected children can be cured. As children have tremendous resistance power, they do respond very positively to treatment, said a panel of doctors on the occasion of International Children Cancer Awareness day here on Tuesday.

Parents need to be extra vigilant in case certain symptoms persist, said Dr Manisha Singh of Mahavir Cancer Sansthan.

She said the Sansthan has around 40-bed paediatric ward for children affected with cancer. Symptoms like persisting fever or cold, perpetual weakness, cervical gland, inflammation in stomach, grandular enlargement and problem in vision of the child must be given attention, she told TOI. “Since there is no specific symptom of cancer, it is very dangerous to conclude on your own, and reference to a doctor is a must,” said Singh.

Most of the cancer patients in the paediatric ward, aged between 2 to 14 years, have blood cancer. Ayushi, Sulabh, Abhishek, Pooja and Swastika are a few kids here who are staying at the hospital, but there are a few who visit the hospital for chemotherapy shots.