Although it is more common in adults or the elderly, cancer can actually attack all ages, including children. The results of the 2013 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) showed that the prevalence of cancer in children aged 0-14 years reached up to 16,291 cases. In fact, cancer that affects 50 percent of children who come to health facilities is usually already in an advanced stage and is difficult to treat optimally.
Lack of parental knowledge about cancer is one of the main causes of advanced stages of childhood cancer. In fact, if detected early, cancer in children can be cured with good treatment and therapy. Therefore, it is important for you to know the various facts about cancer in children below.
Causes of cancer in children
If cancer in adults is usually caused by consumption patterns and lifestyle, cancer in children is triggered by a gene mutation. Gene mutations or changes in the DNA of body cells occur since a child is born or even when the child is still in the womb. This can also be caused by exposure to radiation or smoking while the child is still in the womb. The Indonesian Ministry of Health stated that apart from genetic factors, environmental factors are also the main factors causing cancer in children. Not only due to exposure to radiation or smoking, cancer can also be triggered by exposure to chemicals and infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and HIV in children.
Several types of cancer that often lurk in children and their symptoms
- Leukemia
Leukemia or blood cancer is the most common type of cancer in children. Here are the symptoms:
- Weak, tired quickly, easily fussy
- Fever in the long term
- Often sick and susceptible to infection
- Bone and joint pain
- Reduced appetite, easy nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and bruising
- Frequent bleeding
- Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is a cancer that attacks the virtual retina. This cancer generally attacks children under the age of 5 years. Retinoblastoma is a cancer that can be passed from parent to child. Here are the symptoms:
- Cat eyes (pupils appear white when exposed to light)
- Red and swollen eyes
- Pain in the eye (often accompanied by glaucoma)
- Cockeye
- Enlarged eyeballs
- Blurred vision
- Bone cancer or osteosarcoma
Bone cancer often attacks those who are teenagers. Here are the symptoms:
- Bone pain at night or during activity
- Swelling in the area of the affected bone that is painful to the touch
- Prone to fractures
- High fever
- Weight loss drastically
- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant tumor that attacks the area between the nose and throat. Here are the symptoms:
- Nasal congestion
- Nosebleed
- Deaf next door
- Ringing in the ears and ear pain
- Snot mixed with blood, runny nose, and thick saliva
- Malignant lymphoma
Malignant lymphoma is a primary malignancy of dense lymphatic tissue. Here are the symptoms:
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and groin without pain
- Hard to breathe
- Blockage of the digestive tract
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Decreased appetite
- Weak and lethargic
- Brain cancer
As many as 25% of cancer cases in children are brain cancer. Symptoms can vary depending on the location, size, and stage of the cancer. The following symptoms often occur:
- Recurrent headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness and cramps
- Weakness and paralysis of limbs.
How to prevent the development of childhood cancer
Implementing and teaching SMART behavior to families, including children, can be one of the preventive measures to prevent cancer. It is important to plant SMART as early as possible so that your beloved family and baby will be protected from various types of cancer. SMART is an abbreviation of:
- Regular health checks
- Get rid of cigarette smoke by avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke
- Diligent physical activity
- Healthy and balanced diet
- Get enough rest
- Manage stress
If your child is already experiencing some of the symptoms of a certain type of cancer, immediately take him to the hospital for a thorough examination and receive the right treatment. Welcome a bright future for your children by continuing to pay attention to and maintain their health now and in the future. #LiveExcellently
This article was reviewed by dr. Ribka Cordelia Iskandar, Sp.A (Pediatrician, Tangerang EMC Hospital).