Mehnaz was diagnosed with an eye tumor at the tender age of 21 months. Before this, she underwent a series of examinations, running from one hospital to another due to persistent tear-related issues.
After her family’s spending a fortune on tests and other medical bills, she, now a 30-month-old, underwent eye surgery at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
Her father, Al Amin, brings her back to the hospital every 21 days for chemotherapy, bearing the burden of the treatment costs. With tumors in both eyes, Mehnaz had to undergo the amputation of her right eye.
Each chemotherapy session, costing between Tk5,000-7,000, coupled with blood tests and other examinations, which add up to Tk3,000-4,000 each time, poses a substantial challenge for Al Amin.
He said as a van driver it is daunting for him to bear the burden of the financial strain associated with the treatment. Al Amin's predicament is not unique. Many parents like him grapple with the overwhelming costs of treating children afflicted with head and neck cancer.
Experts say that 8-10% of the country's child cancer patients are affected by head and neck cancer. Head and neck cancer refers to several types of cancers that affect one’s mouth, throat or other parts of the head and neck.
They say that childhood head and neck cancer, often genetically driven, is challenging to prevent. Late detection compounds the issue, making treatment an uphill battle.
While modern treatment exists in the country, it falls short of meeting the escalating demand.
Financial strain
Jisan, a two-year-and-five-month-old, faced a tumor diagnosis in his head, leading to surgery at BSMMU.
The surgery's financial impact was eclipsed by the substantial cost of chemotherapy.
Another parent, Rafiqul Islam, hailing from Alfadanga, Faridpur, came to the same hospital with his two-and-a-half-year-old son who has an eye tumor. Rafiqul, a farmer, expressed the near impossibility of sustaining the financial strain of regular chemotherapy sessions for the child.
Dr Arju, a duty doctor at BSMMU, acknowledged the surge in patients seeking outdoor treatment, including those with head and neck cancer. The increasing prevalence of head and neck cancer cases underscores the challenges in cancer detection.
In addressing the financial burden, BSMMU child cancer and hematology department head, Prof Dr ATM Atiqur Rahman, mentioned the hospital's social service initiatives. Through this program, cancer patients can apply for a lump sum to alleviate the financial strains associated with treatment.
Late diagnosis
Prof Dr Habibullah Talukder Raskin, executive director of Cancer Pathology and Research Center, highlighted the formidable challenge of detecting cancer in children.
He emphasized that children often struggle to communicate symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment initiation. Head and neck cancers, including nose, eye, head, and gland cancers, are particularly common.
Prof Dr ATM Atiqur Rahman underscored the fact that glandular cancer ranks second among common childhood cancers, affecting 10% of children with head and neck cancer.
Swelling in various facial areas is a typical symptom. He urged parents to consult a specialist if such signs appear.
Dr Rahman advised immediate medical attention for symptoms like shortness of breath, loss of appetite, intermittent fever, and prolonged headaches.
Lack of specialized doctors
Importantly, Dr Rahman said that modern treatment options are available in the country, with a 100% recovery rate if treated promptly.
However, the shortage of specialized doctors in the country remains a significant impediment, according to Prof Rashed Jahangir Kabir, the former head of the Children's Cancer Department at the National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital.
He noted the critical issue of delayed diagnosis in childhood cancer, with only one-third of pediatric cancer patients receiving treatment.
Half of these patients never undergo cancer treatment again, underscoring the urgency of timely diagnosis and intervention.