September 13, Colombo (LNW): Between 900 and 1,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in Sri Lanka each year, according to figures recorded by the National Cancer Registry, highlighting the need for greater vigilance in detecting the disease among young patients.
Health authorities say leukaemia, cancers affecting the lymphatic system and tumours involving the brain are among the conditions most frequently identified in children.
Consultant Community Physician Dr Suraj Perera of the Ministry of Health’s National Cancer Control Programme has stressed that recognising warning signs at an early stage is crucial to improving outcomes for affected children.
He called for greater attention to possible symptoms and urged parents, caregivers and healthcare workers to ensure that children suspected of having cancer are referred promptly for further assessment and specialist treatment.
Early diagnosis can play an important role in ensuring that children receive appropriate care without unnecessary delays, particularly in cases where symptoms may initially be mistaken for more common childhood illnesses.
The latest figures have renewed calls for greater public awareness of childhood cancers and the importance of seeking medical advice when unusual or persistent symptoms occur.
