Healthy Life Journal

Cancer is still a frightening disease. The children did not escape from his grip. Retina cancer characterized by white patches occupying the second largest after blood cancer (leukemia).

Based on data from the world health agency (World Health Organization) in the world of cancer patients was recorded on the rise. Cancer in children is estimated 2-4 percent of the total cancer incidence in the world. In Indonesia there are about 9,000 children with cancer.

Chairman of the Education III and Guidance Indonesia Cancer Foundation, Dr. Arjoso Sumarjati, said SKM retina cancer or retinoblastoma in Indonesia, including cancers with the highest number of children suffered.

“We do not know how many cancer patients must have this. What is clear in this case Indonesia, including retinoblastoma high,” said Sumarjati cancer in mass counseling children in District Tambora, West Jakarta.

Retinoblastoma is a disease that attacks the children since the age of 0-5 years. The cause of the disease is not known with certainty. Based on the research and experience of the doctors, genetic factors or trigger environmental influences such as radioactive rays, socio-economic conditions, and viral infections.

“It causes disease is not yet known, genetic factors has become one of the causes of this disease,” said Sumarjati who also serves as chairman of the IV for the Association of Reproductive Health at the Indonesian Public Health Experts (IAKMI).

She said, symptoms are caused retinoblastoma incidence of white spot in the center of the eye or retina. Make eyes seemed to shine when exposed to light. Then, down the eyelid and dilated pupils, disturbed vision or eyes become crossed. At an advanced stage, prominent eyes.

“If there were signs of red eyes, watery, swollen, despite being given an eye medicine does not work as well, or at dark, the boy’s eyes seemed to shine like a cat might be said that the child is indicated retinoblastoma disease,” said Sumarjati ever served as former chairman of the National Family Planning Coordinating Agency (BKKBN).

Eye surgery is an appropriate action in dealing with retinoblastoma cases. One was by removing the eyeball so that this cancer did not spread.

“If the vision and spirit can still be helped, then the false eye is a tool that helps the patient’s condition especially in terms of appearance,” he explained.

Which should beware, if it is severe retinoblastoma not only cause of blindness in people, but also lost its soul.

“If surgery is recommended by a doctor, do not ever put off because if not, be severe and difficult to treat illness,” he explained.

Handling and treatment of cancer is dependent on the stage. Treatment of cancer in children is not much different from the treatment in adults.

Which often become barriers are expensive and lack of knowledge about cancer to patients who come are generally already reached an advanced stage.

“The problem for cancer patients one of which is cost. The high cost of treatment is often an obstacle,” said vice chairman of Indonesian Children Oncology Foundation (YOAI), Ir Retno S Soepardji.

Cancer treatment is not only done 3-5 times a burden patients or those around him grew. This is one reason the establishment of foundations working in the field of cancer.

“The activities helped them with medical expenses or care for children with cancer who can not afford. YOAI also provide dissemination of information about cancer,” said Retno.