Cancer in children can be difficult to detect early, as symptoms may often resemble those of common illness.
Cancer is a serious disease that causes abnormal cells to grow uncontrollably throughout the body. It’s a major reason for child fatalities, highlighting the importance of early detection and diagnosis. Going through cancer can be an overwhelming experience for parents as well as the kids. Parents are often grappled with feeling a range of emotions such as anger, frustration, guilt, sadness, fear, confusion, helplessness, and stress. The transitional shift from taking them to nurseries or playgrounds to frequent hospital visits can create emotional havoc. On the other hand, children may feel stressed due to multiple cancer treatments, medications, and therapies which can often lead to missing out on school trips, friends’ birthday parties, or school activities. This can impact not only their physical health but also their mental well-being. This is why parents are encouraged to be cautious and should never ignore signs or symptoms that mimic childhood cancer. Early detection can help save lives while improving patients’ quality of life.
Early Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer
Dr. Amol Pawar, Radiation Oncologist, Chiplun spoke to India.com and highlighted five signs of childhood cancer that parents should be vigilant about:
• Unintended weight loss: If your child is suddenly losing weight without any reason then you shouldn’t take it lightly. Sudden or unintended weight loss can be an indication of several underlying health conditions such as cancer. Immediately book an appointment with a doctor for a thorough diagnosis.
• Feeling tired : It is crucial to pay attention when your child seems to be experiencing extreme tiredness even after getting enough rest. This can be a warning sign of cancer in children. This is because the immune system tends to work harder to fight cancer cells in your body while draining out their energy levels.
• Headaches : Constantly complaining about headaches especially early in the morning can be worrisome. This can make them moody or cranky due to severe headache that sustains for more than a few days making it difficult to perform daily activities.
• Gastrointestinal problems : If your child typically has a healthy digestive system but has recently struggled to digest specific foods, it may be a cause for concern. This may include symptoms like episodes of vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.
• Losing interest : Children enjoy going outdoors and visiting their friends or relatives. But suddenly wanting to stay indoors and disinterest in previously enjoyed activities like drawing, gaming, cycling, or solving puzzles may indicate a potential issue parents shouldn’t ignore. Parents are advised to consult a doctor to discover the underlying reasons for this behavior change.
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