Context: Childhood cancers account for 4% of all cancer cases in India. This leaves thousands of children vulnerable to the direct and indirect effects of cancer.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Cancer; Government Initiatives for Cancer Treatment.
What is Cancer?
- Cancer is a condition of uncontrolled cell growth and division in any part of the body.
- Cancer occurs when some disruption in the DNA in a normal cell interferes with the cell’s ability to regulate cell division.
- DNA disruption can be caused by mutation due to certain chemicals or sources of high energy (Sun, X-rays, Nuclear radiation), infection by some viruses and due to certain environmental and lifestyle factors.
Cancer on Children: Prevalence and Consequences
- Prevalence:
- The National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) report found that childhood cancers (0-14 years) account for 4% of all cancer cases in India.
- Common cancers: Leukemia, lymphoma, CNS tumours, neuroblastoma, bone cancer etc.
- Consequences:
- Loss of opportunity for education/ interruption of education.
- Financial burden for the family/ cycle of generational poverty.
- Risks of permanent (long-term) physical disability
- Psychosocial and mental health impacts.
Government Initiatives for Cancer Treatment
- National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke is a flagship program under the National Health Mission. Launched in 2010, it aims to prevent and control major non-communicable diseases, including cancer.
- National Cancer Registry Programme (1982) under the Indian Council of Medical Research collects and maintains data on cancer incidence across the country.
- National Cancer Grid is a network of major cancer centres across India that collaborate to standardise cancer care to improve the quality of cancer treatment.
- National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar, Haryana has been established as a centre of excellence for cancer treatment and research.
- Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) includes coverage for direct medical costs of cancer treatment to over 10 crore families.
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme launched in 2020 for domestic manufacturing of oncology equipment and other medical devices.
Also Read: Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment
Education is a pathway to economic empowerment for such children. The need of the hour is to enact comprehensive policies and interventions to improve access to affordable quality treatment, counselling for mental well-being, and solutions for economic sustenance.