Statistics indicate that childhood cancers constitute three-four per cent of all cancers and in India, nearly 40 to 50 thousands new cases are registered each year. This increasing incidence of childhood cancer can be attributed to industrialization and technological advancement. The most common forms of cancer among children are leukaemia and lymphomas followed by tumours of the brain and central nervous system. Some rare childhood cancers like cancer of the eyes have also become a concern of present times.<\/p>\n
The Silver Lining<\/strong> Recent research has proved that chemotherapy and radiation can be cardio-toxic in nature. Some of the drugs used during cancer treatment can weaken the heart muscle. radiation therapy has been linked to cardiac rhythm disorders and a structural damage of the valves and arteries. Therefore, the onus lies on the medical fraternity to identify high risk patients and closely monitor them to rule out heart disease.<\/p>\n “Parents should ensure that all the necessary precautions have been taken to save their child from future heart trouble, besides regularly taking them for a complete health check-up”<\/p>\n
\nAround 70-90 per cent of all childhood cancers are curable. However, extra care must be taken of the survivors because prolonged cancer treatment puts children at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in the future (a survivor can be affected in his\/her thirties). It is thus imperative that childhood cancer survivors are made to consume a healthy and balanced diet, kept away from alcohol consumption and smoking, get adequate exercise as well as exposure to natural sunlight and regularly visit the doctor.<\/p>\n