Don't overlook cancer among children, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study indicates cancer is the tenth leading cause of death among children in India.
• Approximately 17,000 children in India died from cancer in 2023.
• India records an estimated 50,000 to 75,000 new paediatric cancer cases annually.
• Cancer registries in India cover only 10-15% of the population, indicating underreporting.
• Survival rates have improved for some cancers like leukaemia with timely diagnosis and treatment.

Detailed Insights:

• India's national cancer-control priorities predominantly address adult cancers, overlooking paediatric variants, leading to gaps in surveillance and underdiagnosis.
• Inadequate primary care systems and the concentration of specialist services in urban areas contribute to delayed diagnosis, referrals, and treatment for children.
• Financial and logistical inequities significantly impact treatment outcomes, often resulting in children being diagnosed at advanced stages or discontinuing treatment prematurely.
• Integrating paediatric oncology into national cancer-control strategies, decentralizing treatment, and training frontline providers are crucial steps.
• Strengthening data systems and researching genetic and environmental factors can aid in addressing the childhood cancer burden.
• Alignment with global initiatives like the WHO's childhood cancer initiative can provide a framework for policy development and implementation.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Paediatric Oncology: The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in children.
• Cancer Registry: A systematic collection of data about cancer and tumor diseases in a population.
• Global Burden of Disease (GBD): A comprehensive regional and global research program of disease burden that assesses mortality and disability from major diseases, injuries, and risk factors.