International Childhood Cancer Day: Timely diagnosis key to saving children, say doctors
Jaipur (PTI): On International Childhood Cancer Day, a group of doctors here on Sunday emphasised that timely diagnosis and proper treatment can save over 80 per cent of children affected by cancer.
Paediatric oncologist Dr Shivani Mathur of Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital said that cases of childhood cancer differ from those of adult cancer and often progress rapidly, requiring specialised treatment. However, recovery rates among children are higher.
The most common types of cancer in children include blood cancer, brain tumours, kidney cancer and bone cancer, she said.
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Haemato-oncologist at Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital, Dr Upendra Sharma, said that according to the National Cancer Registry Programme, about 4 per cent of total cancer cases in India occur in children aged 0-14 years, with nearly 50,000 new cases reported annually. Blood cancer accounts for 25-30 per cent of these cases.
He noted that early detection significantly improves survival chances.
According to doctors, common warning signs include persistent fever, unusual weight loss, prolonged fatigue, bone or joint pain, frequent infections and abnormal swelling. They advised parents not to ignore prolonged symptoms and to seek medical consultation promptly.
Dr Sharma highlighted that the hospital is running two projects providing free treatment to children. Under the "Jeevandan" project, 286 children have been treated since 2014 for Rs 10.73 crore, with 178 declared cancer-free. Another project for Wilms' tumour welfare initiative has treated 21 children since 2016, all of whom have recovered, he added.
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Mangaluru: Special trains to Chennai for Vishu festival
Mangaluru: To clear extra passenger rush during the Vishu festival, the Southern Railway has announced special train services between Mangaluru Central and Chennai Egmore.
According to an official release, Train No. 06126 Mangaluru Central-Chennai Egmore Special will depart Mangaluru Central at 4:00 pm on April 6 and 13, reaching Chennai Egmore at 10:30 a.m the next day.
In the return direction, Train No. 06125 Chennai Egmore-Mangaluru Central Special will leave Chennai Egmore at 2:00 pm on April 7 and 14 and arrive at Mangaluru Central at 6:50 am the following day.
The train will have two AC two-tier, eight AC three-tier, six sleeper class, four general second class coaches, one Divyangjan-friendly coach, and one luggage-cum-brake van.
In a seperate announcement, the southern railway also announced special service between between Bengaluru Cantonment and Dr. MGR Chennai Central to manage the extra rush of passengers.
Train No. 06545 will depart from Bengaluru Cantonment at 08:05 am on Thursday, 9th April and is scheduled to reach Chennai Central at 3:00 pm on the same day. The return service, Train No. 06546, will leave Chennai Central at 4:45 pm on the same day and reach Bengaluru Cantonment at 11:00 pm.
