Not only adults, children can also get cancer; doctor reveals 6 early signs

News Topical, Digital Desk : Cancer can affect not only adults but also children. Cancer that occurs between the ages of 0 and 19 is called childhood cancer. Although cancer in children is much rarer than in adults, early detection and timely treatment can prove to be life-saving. 

The biggest challenge of childhood cancer is that its symptoms often resemble those of common illnesses, such as the flu or a minor injury. Therefore, every parent should be aware of its symptoms so that cancer can be detected in time. Let's learn about some of the early symptoms of childhood cancer from Dr. Sajjan Rajpurohit (Director and Head of Medical Oncology, Medanta Hospital, Noida). 

Keep a close eye on these 6 symptoms

• Persistent fever and weight loss - If your child has recurring fevers without any infection or is experiencing a sudden, rapid weight loss, don't ignore it. Loss of appetite and persistent lethargy may also be a part of this.
• Unusual lumps or swellings – If any lumps persist for a long time or are increasing in size in any part of the body, especially around the neck, abdomen, armpits or thighs, show them to a doctor.
• Bone and joint pain – If the child complains of bone pain, limps or refuses to walk, even without any injury sustained during sports, it could be a sign of bone cancer or leukemia .
• Frequent headaches and vomiting – Severe morning headaches, often accompanied by vomiting, may be a sign of brain-related problems.
• Change in skin colour and bleeding – Blue marks on the body without any injury, bleeding from gums or nose and yellowing of the skin can be early symptoms of anemia or blood cancer.
• White reflex –  A symptom of cancer can be seen in the eyes. Blurred vision or if you take a photo of a child and notice a white glow in their pupil due to the flash, this could also be a sign of cancer.

When should one consult a doctor?

If the symptoms mentioned above persist for more than two weeks or if the symptoms start increasing rapidly, you should consult a doctor immediately. 

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