February 16, 2025 | 07:03 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is commemorated every February 15. Data from the Indonesian Basic Health Research in 2013 recorded that around 16,000 children suffer from cancer every year. Secretary General of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) Hikari Ambara Sjakti also urged parents to be aware of the symptoms in children because early detection of cancer can save lives.
"There is no screening for childhood cancer, but early detection efforts can be carried out. The easiest example to detect is eye tumors because they are visible," he said, Saturday, February 15, 2025.
He said that Indonesia does not yet have accurate data regarding childhood cancer. According to him, children suffer from cancer due to hereditary factors inherited from the family. These factors include chromosomal abnormalities, genetic mutations, or genetic abnormalities that disrupt the normal growth of cells in the body.
"Eye tumors, if detected early at stages 1-2, are very good, they can save lives and save eyes. If not saved, the eye can go blind or die because it is advanced," explained Hikari.
Early symptoms to recognize
One of the characteristics of eye cancer in children is when exposed to light, the eyes appear shiny like cat's eyes. Parents need to recognize these early signs to minimize the impact of cancer. Meanwhile, the most common sign of leukemia is that children suddenly become pale, have bone pain, and those who were previously able to walk and run suddenly do not want to walk because of the pain.
"Parents need to know things like that," Hikari advised.
He also said that cancer treatments are varied, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Now, cancer treatment is increasingly developing, both in terms of drugs and surgery and radiation techniques. Although carried through genetics and cannot be broken, all types of cancer now have various effective treatment methods.
Hikari reminded that the higher the stage of cancer, the more difficult it is to treat. Therefore, early detection is important so that cancer treatment becomes easier.
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