80% Of Children Afflicted With Cancer Can Be Cured, Say Health Experts In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: With 80% success rate worldwide, most of the cancer afflicted children in the country can be cured with early detection and proper treatment, said Dr Saroj Prasad Panda, Professor of Pediatric Oncology at the SUM Hospital, here.

Speaking at a programme organised at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital to mark the World Childhood Cancer Day on Tuesday, Dr Panda said around 50,000 children in the country are afflicted with cancer every year. But most of them can be cured, if detected early, he added.

He said different types of childhood cancers that have been identified included Leukemia and Lymphoma (blood related cancers), Brain Tumours, Bone Tumours (Osteosarcoma and Ewing Sarcoma), cancer of the muscle (Rhabdomyosarcoma), Neuroblastoma, Wilm’s tumour (cancer of the kidney) and Hepatoblastoma of liver.

The main methods of treatment of such cancers are chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. “After getting cured of the disease, a child has the potential to lead a normal life,” he said.

Stressing on the role of the parents in the treatment, Dr Swetapadma Dash, CEO of SUM Ultimate Medicare, said, “They must show mental resilience in this battle which can ultimately help the child’s recovery process.”

Prof Pushparaj Samantasinhar, Medical Superintendent of the hospital; Dr Nirmalya Deo Pradhan, Associate Professor in Pediatric Oncology department; Dr Sunil Agrawal, Head of the Surgical  Oncology department; Dr Soumya Surath Panda, Head of Medical Oncology department and Dr Mamata Devi Mohanty, Head of the Pediatrics department also spoke at the programme.

The theme for this year’s World Childhood Cancer Day is ‘Better survival is
achievable through your hands.’

The programme was held with the cooperation of Lions Club Lotus. The children undergoing treatment for cancer performed in a ramp show and other cultural shows.