CHILD Cancer survivors need special care and assistance, both at home and in the hospital. This was explained by the Head of the Thalassemia Center, Blood Transfusion Service Unit, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Prof. Dr. dr. Pustika Amalia W, Sp.A(K).
According to Pustika, children with cancer need special multidisciplinary care from various expertise, either in hospital or at home. It is intended that information and communication between patients, families, doctors and nurses go well.
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Pustika understands that the verdict of cancer in children can cause discomfort, especially for parents, families and patients.
Not a few parents are confused about what to do. Meanwhile, the child is in a state of depression and despair. Children with cancer are limited in doing activities, because they have to undergo treatment at home and in hospitals.
Therefore, moral support among fellow survivors or cancer-related foundations is also a necessary thing in caring for children with cancer survivors, so that they can achieve better survival.
Regarding child cancer survivors, Pustika reminded, apart from surgery and radiation, most cancer cases require chemotherapy.
This therapy has side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, infection, fatigue, pain, hair loss, other complications in a number of organs, to severe allergic reactions.
“Parents also need to be educated on how to prevent infection, take care of their children’s physical and mental health, and recognize emergency signs and symptoms that require them to take their children to seek doctor’s help,” said Pustika as quoted from the Antara page.
According to Pustika, supportive care, such as nutrition, transfusion and psychosocial care, has an important role in the successful management of cancer patients.
Little information, cancer can occur in people of all ages, and can affect any part of the body. The condition starts from a genetic change in a single cell, then grows into a tumor.
These cells then attack other parts of the body, causing damage and even death if left untreated.
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In children, most cancers have no known cause. A number of studies have attempted to identify cancer in children, and found very few are caused by environmental and lifestyle factors.
Steps to prevent cancer in children themselves, should be focused on behaviors that will prevent children from developing cancer.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that every year around 400,000 children and adolescents aged 0-19 years get cancer.
Generally, the most common types of cancer in children, namely leukemia, brain cancer, lymphoma, to solid tumors.
Cancer in children generally cannot be prevented or identified through screening. However, most cancers can be treated, including surgery and radiotherapy. (Ryn)
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