Jakarta –
Most people may think that cancer is a deadly disease and kills, especially if it affects children. However, childhood cancer does not always have to be the case. As long as the symptoms are known from the start and treated by the right doctor, it is possible for the child to become a survivor until he is an adult. Therefore, here parents play an important role as the first parties who must be aware of the symptoms of cancer and determine the treatment decisions for children.
The importance of the role of parents is felt by eye cancer survivors retinoblastoma, Ine Ratnasari. When she was 3 years old, her parents noticed something wrong with Ine’s left eye. When examined at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM), Ine was diagnosed with stage 1 retinoblastoma.
“Indeed, it has to be lifted (his eyes). If the child is still small, his eyes have been raised, right? Luckily, at that time, parents thought it would be better to lose one eye than to lose one’s life,” said Ine in conversation with detikcomSaturday (11/2/2023).
Ine also underwent eyeball removal surgery when she was 4 years old. After undergoing 17 chemotherapy and radiation treatments, he was declared cured at the age of 5 until now.
Prof. Dr. Rita Sita Sitorus, PhD, SpM(K), a pediatric eye specialist from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, said that retinoblastoma detection should be done as early as possible. Cancer cells have not spread to other organs such as the brain, so treatment can increase survival rates.
“The earlier, the higher the cure rate, both in terms of function, in terms of keeping the eyeballs from being removed, and in terms of life. The problem in Indonesia (stage) is advanced,” said Prof. Rita when met detikcom in Central Jakarta, Friday (3/2).
He revealed that many cases of retinoblastoma in Indonesia have caused death. This can happen because of a misdiagnosis by the medical team or parents who are late in bringing their child to the hospital for treatment. Some parents refuse to raise their child’s eyes. They are waiting for the big family’s decision. However, the operation must be carried out immediately.
“Fear, the culture. Our culture is waiting to talk to the grandparents first, but it has to be quick. 1-2 weeks, too late. Once it’s swollen, just come. It’s another story. Our target is now to reduce the death rate , no longer maintaining (eye) function,” said Prof. Rita.
Prof. Rita added that as an effort for early detection, it is necessary to screen babies whose families have a history of retinoblastoma. Babies need to be screened from birth and successively every certain period.
Other childhood cancer survivors also shared the importance of the role of parents in their recovery. Sabrina Alvie Amelia is a survivor leukemia. When he was 3 years old, initially he felt symptoms such as weakness, pain and lethargy. Alvie’s parents immediately took him to a hospital in Yogyakarta. Initial diagnosis is anemia.
Alvie underwent a blood transfusion for about two months. He also needs 40 blood bags every month. Alvie admitted that he felt fresh after the transfusion, but returned to feeling weak after returning home. This condition continued until one day Alvie fell at the zoo and could not walk.
“Parents suspected how come that after 3 months the anemia didn’t go away. Finally they were taken to Sardjito Hospital in Yogyakarta. All kinds of blood tests. Diagnosed with blood cancer,” said Alvie when contacted detikcomMonday (13/2).
The parents’ suspicion and speed in taking Alvie for treatment produced sweet results. Alvie began undergoing chemotherapy for 2 years with an observation period of 5 years. After passing the observation period, Alvie was declared drug-free until now.
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