Celebration of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (Gold September) at K.S.S.S.C.I.

September 24, 2025

Kalyan Singh Super Specialty Cancer Institute, Lucknow celebrated Child Cancer Awareness Month on 24th September with the theme of “Gold September” as part of Swasthaya Pakhawada. The aim is to raise awareness about pediatric cancer among the society and health workers. On the occasion, Prof. M.L.B. Bhatt, Director, KSSSCI highlighted the need for awareness about paediatric cancer. He informed that more than 50,000 cases of pediatric cancer are treated in India every year, of which Uttar Pradesh contributes about 20% and less than half are treated. The major reason for this is the lack of awareness about pediatric cancer in the society. He applauded the Department of Pediatric Oncology and the Department of Public Health for their constant efforts to increase awareness among the people. And he also Spoke about common cancers like lymphoma, blood cancer, tumors of brain, bone and eyes, Liver. Finally, he invited Aman, Abhijeet and Shashank who are pediatric cancer survivors to share their lived experience. The survivors shared their journey in cancer at KSSSCI. Dr. Gitika Pant, Associate Professor and Head of the Department Pediatric Oncology, gave information about common childhood cancers and their patterns. She said that blood cancer (leukemia) is the most common cancer that occurs in childhood and it usually manifests with prolonged unexplained fever, easy bruising, fatigue, and pain. The second most common cancer is brain cancer, which manifests with unexplained vomiting and severe headaches along with vision blurriness and hearing loss. The third common cancer is lymphoma, which present with lymph node swelling, fever and weight loss. She also told that all types of pediatric cancers are being treated in the department of Pediatric Oncology at KSSSCI. Dr. Priyanka Chauhan, Senior hematologist and BMT Specialist, told about utility of bone marrow transplant in resource limited setting. She told that with appropriate BMT treatment even refractory and resistance cancers can be cured.She also told that in Uttar Pradesh itself nearly 14000 cancers are reported annually in Pediatric age group out of which only 30 % are able to reach hospital and only 20% receive complete treatment. Dr. Rakhi Jain, Associate Professor, Paediatric Oncology expressed her views on the effects of cancer on survivors and said that if the diagnosis is made on time, it can be easily dealt with. She also talked about the hormonal problems and their treatment in cancer survivors. A poster competition was also organized with the same theme, in which the first prize was given to Ms. Nandita , Second & third Prize was given to Mrs. Kamini. Dr. Ayush Lohiya, Head of Public Health Department, concluded the program by thanking all stakeholders for their contribution.