2. 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

3. Causes?
• Chemicals
• Environmental toxins
• Ionizing radiation
• Genetics
• Pathogens

4. 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

5. • Worldwide, 70 – 90% of children are cured of
cancer
• In India, over 70% of children still die
– Lack of awareness
– Inadequate treatment

6. 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

7. Mission
• Best possible treatment
• Social economic support
– Adopt a child program
– Home away from home
• Reintegration into society
– Education
• Psychological support
• Continuity of care

8. Retinoblastoma

9. What is it?
Retinoblastoma is cancer of the light
sensitive cells of the retina
image source: http://www.wightoptometrists.co.nz/?sid=42

10. 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

11. Symptoms
• Crossed eye
• Poor vision
• Red, swelling eye
• Enlarged pupil
• Different colored
irises
• Pain

12. Leukocoria
White Eye Reflex
» Affordable and simple method of diagnosis

13. Treatment
• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Enucleation

14. 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

15. Cankids RB Project
• Advocacy
– Empower medical teams
– Deliver higher quality evidence based care
• Patient Support
– Sajeev CanKids RB Fund
– Financial aid