New Delhi: A fever that refuses to settle. A child growing weaker by the day. Sudden weight loss, unexplained pain, pale skin, or flashes in vision.
For many families, these are dismissed as routine infections — typhoid, viral fever, or seasonal illness. But oncologists warn that behind these common symptoms can lurk a far more dangerous diagnosis: childhood cancer.
Dr Kapil Goyal, Medical Oncologist, RGCIRC
Doctors say prolonged fever, persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, recurring bone pain, yellowish or pale skin, and vision disturbances are red flags that demand immediate medical evaluation. Yet across India, children are often treated repeatedly for infections before being referred to cancer specialists — a delay that can prove fatal.
According to the Indian Cancer Society, more than 50,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in the country every year. The tragedy lies in the contrast: most childhood cancers are highly treatable if detected early, but awareness remains alarmingly low. States such as Uttar Pradesh continue to report a significant burden of cases, with experts warning that delayed referrals worsen survival outcomes.
“Many childhood cancers begin with symptoms that resemble common infections. By the time families reach specialised centres, the disease is often advanced,” said a senior paediatric oncologist at AIIMS. “Early diagnosis can dramatically improve survival rates.”
The numbers reveal both hope and concern. At Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC), doctors estimate 15,000–20,000 paediatric cancer cases annually, with cure rates between 50 and 60 percent. At AIIMS, over 400 children are diagnosed each year, and nearly 65 percent recover fully when treated in time.
National cancer registry data underscores the wider burden. Between 2012 and 2016, India recorded 4,30,091 cancer cases, including 8,692 paediatric cases — about 2 percent of the total. Boys accounted for 61.7 percent and girls for 38.3 percent. Experts caution that underreporting, particularly in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, may conceal the true scale of the crisis.
Globally, childhood cancer has been recognised as a public health priority. The World Health Organization-led Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, launched in 2018 in collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, aims to raise survival rates to at least 60 percent by 2030 by expanding access to diagnostics, medicines, and trained healthcare workers. India is among more than 80 countries participating in the effort under its National Cancer Control Programme.
Dr Kapil Goyal, Medical Oncologist at RGCIRC, emphasised that children often respond better to treatment than adults. “Because children are in an active growth phase, outcomes are usually better if cancer is detected early. With timely treatment, many childhood cancers can be cured completely,” he said.
For doctors, the message is blunt: awareness is the first line of defence. For parents, recognising the warning signs and seeking specialised care without delay can mean the difference between life and death.
(Cover Image Credit: CANVA)
