<div>According to the World Health Organization, cancer is a leading cause of death in children worldwide. The main reason for a low survival rate of pediatric cancer patients include: inaccurate diagnosis, inaccessible treatment.</div><div>
</div><div>To know more about child cancer, the specialist team at the Aga Khan University Hospital conducted a Facebook Live session where the following panelist assisted the audience as they shared their questions live:</div><div>Dr. Sadaf Altaf – Assistant Professor, Oncology</div><div>Dr. Rashid Jooma – Professor, Surgery</div><div>Dr. Asim Belgaumi – Chief Medical Officer and Pediatric Oncologist </div><div>Dr. Zehra Fadoo – Professor and Section Head, Oncology</div><div>Dr. Irfan Jeeva – Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology</div><div>Dr. Naureen Mushtaq – Assistant Professor, Oncology </div><div>
</div><div>Cancer in children is a rare disease, according to Dr. Asim Belgaumi, every year 8000 to 10,000 kids are diagnosed with cancer. He continued to tell the audience about the importance of multidisciplinary team approach in managing the disease.</div><div> </div><div>The Aga Khan University Hospital has all services under one roof. In case a child needs treatment for Brain Tumor, the multidisciplinary team at the Aga Khan University Hospital including neurosurgeons, pathologists, oncologists, therapist for speech and physiotherapy and the radiation specialists work together to help fight the disease as spoken by Dr. Naureen Mushtaq. </div><div>
</div><div>It is known that cancer in children is different from adult cancer. The success rate and chances of survival of a child having cancer is high. In Western countries 80% kids are cured, however, in Pakistan, no statistics can be found but trend shows that only 20%-30% are cured because often patients are not visiting the right doctor and thus the treatment is delayed. Dr. Sadaf Altaf emphasized the need to go to the right doctor.</div><div>
</div><div>Dr. Zehra Fadoo and Dr. Irfan Jeeva spoke about Eye Tumors and a simple sign and symptom of identifying this: When taking a photograph, if you notice a red dot in a person’s eye, it is safe and the appearance of a white dot is risky. If it is diagnosed early, eye cancer can be cured by laser also. </div><div>
</div><div>Early diagnosis and the right treatment is the key to manage cancer in children. </div><div>
</div><div>The doctors also spoke about Thalassemia and how to manage the disease. For more information visit the following link: </div><div>https://www.facebook.com/AKUHPakistan/videos/840317302987396/ </div><div>
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