Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has launched ‘I’m a hero’ campaign to coincide with childhood cancer awareness month which falls in September each year to emphasise the importance of early detection.
Heba Nassar, Head of Health Education Department at QCS said that leukemia is the most common childhood cancer in Qatar and brain and central nervous system tumours are the second most common, according to statistics from the Ministry of Public Health released in 2015.
Exposure to radiation, environmental reasons, radiation during pregnancy, excessive exposure to the ultraviolet radiation is risk factors of some of the childhood cancers. Some viral infections, the mother being an active or passive smoker during pregnancy or during the period prior to conception and inherited genetic abnormalities can also develop childhood cancers.
Source: Peninsula Qatar
Early signs and symptoms include unexplained weight loss, headaches (often with early morning vomiting), increased swelling or persistent pain in bones, joints, back, or legs, lump or mass, especially in the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis, or armpits, development of excessive bruising, bleeding, rash, constant infections, a whitish color behind the pupil, nausea which persists or vomiting without nausea, constant tiredness or noticeable paleness, changes in vision which occur suddenly and persist, recurrent or persistent fever.
“Parents should be sure that their children have regular medical check-ups and watch for any unusual signs or symptoms that do not go away,” said Nassar.
“In addition to this, help them adopt a healthy lifestyle with healthy eating habits and plenty of exercises to keep a healthy weight. Replace their unhealthy snacks with fruits, vegetables and nuts. Encourage them to play motor games instead of electronic games. Protect your child from smoking through stopping smoking during pregnancy, after birth, protect them from passive smoking. Also keep your children safe during sun exposure (use sun protection items: sunglasses, sunblock, long sleeve clothes and wide hats),” she added.
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