‘Early intervention in childhood leukemia’

Cyprus International University (CIU) School of Health Sciences Nursing Department Lecturer Assist. Prof. Dr. Nurcan Bilgiç stated that leukemia ranks first with a rate of 30%-40% in terms of the frequency of childhood cancers, and noted that according to the data of the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer, 80,491 cases were reported in the world last year.

Stating that the majority of childhood leukemias are acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Bilgiç added that the frequency of acute leukemia incidents increases between the ages of 2-5 and is found to be more common in boys than girls.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Bilgiç also noted that the symptoms of acute leukemia are often loss of appetite, weakness, fatigue, restlessness, fever, bone pain and panting. In addition to these, she said, anemia, nose, submucosal and/or subcutaneous hemorrhage, frequent bruises on the skin, spleen and/or enlargement in the liver and swelling in the lymph nodes can also be observed.

Noting that there is no risk factor that can explain the development of leukemia in most of the children, but said that in some cases, hereditary and acquired risk factors can be detected.

Bilgiç listed these risk factors as the mother's use of alcohol during pregnancy, exposure to pesticides, viral infections, radiation, some drugs, and various chromosomal abnormalities (Down syndrome).

Bilgiç said that leukemia is a deadly disease if left untreated, however, with the advancement in science and technology, with each passing day new treatment guidelines are developed that increase the overall survival rate in curing the disease.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Bilgiç also said that events for  "Kids with Leukemia Week" were held on November 2nd - 8th  in order to raise awareness in the society about leukemia, and said, “We explain the importance of early diagnosis to parents in this process. In case symptoms similar to leukemia in children are detected, the treatment can start early by referring to a health institution as soon as possible. This leads to an increase in survival rates."