Srinagar: In a stark revelation highlighting the challenges faced by pediatric cancer patients, a recent study has found that only one out of three children survives cancer in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Researchers point to poor health infrastructure and late-stage diagnosis as key factors contributing to the high mortality rate.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, the study, which focused on pediatric cancer patients in Kashmir, discovered that the majority are diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease. This late diagnosis significantly diminishes the survival chances for young patients. The findings were published in the Indian Journal of Medical and Pediatric Oncology under the title “A Profile of Pediatric Solid Tumors: A Single Institution Experience in Kashmir.”

The study highlighted “multiple inter-related factors” responsible for the poor outcomes among children with cancer in the region. Over 300 children with solid tumors, accounting for a third of all pediatric cancer cases, were examined in the study. Researchers aimed to assess various aspects of cancer among children in Kashmir, including treatment types and outcomes.

Data from the Soura medical complex indicated that around 5 percent of cancer patients were children, primarily adolescents aged 12-19 years. This contrasts with international data where most pediatric cancer patients are in the 0-4 year age group.

Prof. Nisar A Butt, head of Pediatric Surgery at the Soura medical complex and a contributor to the study, emphasized the importance of timely diagnosis. He noted that symptoms in children are often overlooked, urging parents to seek expert medical advice promptly.

The study revealed that only 34 percent of the patients were in remission, while 35.6 percent had discontinued follow-up care, and 21 percent had died. Researchers concluded that advanced-stage presentation and poor outcomes are prevalent among patients in the region.

The study also identified financial constraints as a significant barrier to early diagnosis and treatment. High costs of cancer diagnostic facilities deter many families from seeking necessary screenings, contributing to delayed detection. Additionally, lack of awareness, difficulty accessing healthcare, and reliance on alternative medicines were cited as factors leading to advanced-stage presentations.