Worldwide approximately 3 lakh children are diagnosed with cancer every year. In India this figure is around 75000. Childhood cancer is curable when detected in time and treated at a proper cancer center. In western countries almost 80% of these children are cured. Sadly, in developing countries including India the cure rates are less than 60%. The care gap refers to the disparity in access to healthcare services and treatment between different populations, particularly between developed and developing countries. Children in India who are diagnosed with cancer often face a number of barriers in obtaining adequate care, including lack of awareness, inadequate facilities and resources, and a shortage of trained healthcare professionals. These barriers result in late diagnosis, inadequate treatment, and poor outcomes for children with cancer in India. Many families are not aware that their child has cancer until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, which can make treatment more difficult and result in lower survival rates. The limited awareness of childhood cancer also leads to a lack of early diagnosis, as many families are not aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease, and may seek treatment for other, less serious illnesses. This can further delay the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer, leading to poorer outcomes .
Many children with cancer in India are unable to afford the cost of treatment. This can result in children being denied access to the care they need. India has shortage of Paediatric Oncologists and other healthcare professionals who are trained to diagnose and treat childhood cancer. The common cancers occurring in children are cancers of blood (leukaemia), lymph glands (lymphoma), brain (brain tumors), nerves (neuroblastoma), kidney (wilm’s tumor) and bones/ muscles (sarcoma).
Look out for Warning signs:
- Prolonged and unexplained fever
- Unusual abdominal mass or swelling in any part of the body
- Pallor, loss of energy and rapid weight loss
- Persisting bone pain
- Unexplained headache often with vomiting
- Easy bruises and unexplained bleeding
- Decreased vision and white spot in the eye
Government schemes, Non-profit organizations and charities have also been working to improve the availability of healthcare facilities and resources for children with cancer in India. In conclusion, the care gap for children with cancer in India is a serious issue that requires attention and action. Together we can take following steps to “close the care gap”.
- Creating awareness about childhood cancer in public.
- Equipping healthcare professionals to reduce diagnosis delay.
- Strengthening primary health care.
- Increasing resources like funding and infrastructure for Paediatric oncology centres.
- Decentralization of Paediatric cancer care to district level.
Paediatric Oncology unit at KLE charitable hospital which was started 5 years ago, and is the only dedicated Paediatric oncology centre in North Karnataka has treated over 300 children with cancer. Dr Abhilasha who is in charge of the unit said “We treat around 70 to 80 new cases of childhood cancer annually and our cancer free survival rate is approximately 70 percent which is as good as well established cancer centres in the country. We receive constant support from chairman Dr Prabhakar Kore and hospital management team Dr NS Mahantashetti, Dr M V Jali, Dr VD Patil, Dr (Col) Dayananda M, Dr VA Kothiwale, Dr Arif Maldar, the government schemes and not to forget help of NGOs like Cankids, Leukemia crusaders, Cuddles foundation and local NGOs and support groups like innerwheel club and Rotary club .”
Dr ABHILASHA S
PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGIST ONCOLOGIST
JNMC/KLE’S DR PRABHAKAR KORE HOSPITAL
