Blood Cancer in Kids: Signs, Symtoms And Risk Factors to Identify Leukemia in Children

Blood Cancer in Children: 10-year-old actor Rahul Koli was suffering from leukemia when he died on October 2, ahead of the release of his film. come on show, India’s official entry to the Oscars. While his family didn’t say much about the disease, his father said he was vomiting profusely before he breathed his last. Childhood leukemia or Blood cancer is the most common type Cancer Occurs in adolescents and children worldwide. While treatment and timely diagnosis are important and determine the future of a person’s health, children are more receptive to such treatment than adults.Also Read – Tarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma actress Disha Vakani developed throat cancer due to the unique voice of her character Dayaben.

What is blood cancer and how does it affect your body?

As described by the International Cancer Institute, leukemia is a cancer that affects your white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infections and diseases. White blood cells are the main part of our body’s immune system. When these cells are affected, abnormal white cells form in the bone marrow that travel through the bloodstream to other parts of your body, putting pressure on healthy cells. When these healthy cells become abnormal, the body becomes vulnerable to infections and diseases and becomes weakened. Also Read – Rahul Kohli dies: 10-year-old actor from Cello Show, India’s official entry to the Oscars, dies of cancer

Children and teenagers are considered stronger than adults to fight such infections. Since the body is still learning to develop and cope with any abnormalities within, young people respond better to cancer treatment. Also Read – Terminal Cancer Signs, Symptoms and Life Expectancy: Can It Be Cured? All you need to know

Blood Cancer in Children: Risk Factors

• Children usually have no common risk factors unless there is an existing disease that your child’s body is already fighting. This can include health conditions from birth, including common infections and immune-related problems.
• The chances increase if there is a person in the family who has or has suffered from blood cancer. This is called Li-Fraumeni syndrome which means ‘hereditary cancer tendency’. Children are at increased risk of cancer depending on the affected genes.
• If the child has been exposed to any type of radiation therapy or excessive use of chemicals such as benzene during any treatment in the past, the risk of developing blood cancer in the body increases.

What are the signs and symptoms of blood cancer in children?

Most babies and children do not show any unusual symptoms or signs when they are suffering Leukemia. It is an immune-related disease and the symptoms include everything that a compromised immune system experiences.

• Excessive fatigue: If your child is always tired, or cannot exert himself physically while playing with other children, it may be a sign that the immune system has been or is being attacked. Note that the child cannot do anything to touch one’s body and will still feel vulnerable. It is unexplained fatigue and should be investigated.
• Bleeding or bruising: Children grow up with all kinds of injuries – minor injuries that disappear within a few days and some serious injuries that require a doctor’s attention. However, if you notice your child every time he/she bumps into something or simply trips while playing with other children, it could be a sign of a bigger problem.
• Infection and fever: This is a common symptom in all types of cancer in children and adults. If you’re experiencing a persistent fever and are concerned that your child isn’t feeling well, it’s time for more tests. Frequent infections and fevers that are not cured by common medications and multiple visits to the doctor should be checked immediately.
• Shortness of breath or cough: Unless your child has a lung problem, he or she should not experience an unexplained cough or shortness of breath. If physical exertion makes your child lose his breath, it’s time to get some more tests done and rule out the risk of leukemia.
• There are other symptoms that are not common but can be experienced by a child fighting blood cancer. These include gum problems, body rashes, persistent weight loss, swelling in any part of the body that keeps coming back, joint pain, seizures, headaches and regular vomiting.

Living a good lifestyle and planning a healthy schedule for your child is a top priority for any parent today, especially in the fragile post-Covid times. Know better, keep yourself informed, take time and explore your options and then act. Stay healthy!