What is cancer?

• Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body

• Normal cells multiply when the body requires them, and die when no longer needed.

– Regulated controls within genome

• Activating Oncogenes accelerating cell growth & division

• Inactivating tumor suppressor genes

Causes?

• Chemicals

• Environmental toxins

• Ionizing radiation

• Genetics

• Pathogens

Incidence in India

• In most populations, childhood cancer ranges from 75 – 150 per million children per year

• Standardized incidence rate for India: 38 – 124 per million children per year

• India’s current population: 1,155,347,700– Severe underreporting

• Worldwide, 70 – 90% of children are cured of cancer

• In India, over 70% of children still die

– Lack of awareness

– Inadequate treatment

CanKids

• Facilitate a 70-90% survival rate for children with cancer in India

• Branch of the Indian Cancer Society

• Founded in 2004 by Poonam Bagai – 2001 colon cancer survivor

– Assisted 2500 children in medical treatment

Mission

• Best possible treatment

• Social economic support

– Adopt a child program

– Home away from home

• Reintegration into society

– Education

• Psychological support

• Continuity of care

Retinoblastoma

What is it?

Retinoblastoma is cancer of the light sensitive cells of the retina

image source: http://www.wightoptometrists.co.nz/?sid=42

Incidence of Retinoblastoma

• Rare

• Genetic in some cases

• Affects children <5 years old

• Worldwide – 98% treated

• India – 60 % cured (AIIMS)– 1500-2000 patients per year

Symptoms

• Crossed eye

• Poor vision

• Red, swelling eye

• Enlarged pupil

• Different colored irises

• Pain

LeukocoriaWhite Eye Reflex

» Affordable and simple method of diagnosis

Treatment

• Chemotherapy

• Radiotherapy

• Enucleation

CanKids RB Project

• Public Awareness

– Reduce need for radical ophthalmic surgery

– Early detection

– Educate the public

• Retinoblastoma is curable

• Female/Male Incidence

– International RB Awareness Day

Cankids RB Project

• Advocacy

– Empower medical teams

– Deliver higher quality evidence based care

• Patient Support

– Sajeev CanKids RB Fund

– Financial aid