Compulsory questionnaire for minors under 18 years of age in health centers of 10 health districts; more than 30,000 cards for timely detection of certain cancers
news staff
In Chiapas, childhood cancer surveillance is very strict. In fact, 30,833 timely test cards have been carried out so far in the first-level care units of the state’s 10 health districts, which has enabled the timely arrest and treatment of minors suffering from the disease.
This was the message delivered by Health Secretary José Manuel Cruz Castellanos within the framework of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
He explained that every minor who enters the health center receives an ID card or a questionnaire, and the mother answers a series of questions about signs and symptoms that are highly suspicious; doctors then conduct a physical examination and record observations result. If any type of cancer is suspected, appropriate studies need to be carried out and referral to the pediatric service for secondary care is required.
The person in charge of national health policy pointed out that the card is compulsory regardless of the reason for the consultation, that is, even if the minor has some mild symptoms, such as influenza or diarrhea, a questionnaire survey and execution must be carried out in addition to solving the reason for consultation. Body checkup.
Significant unintentional weight loss; Fever for more than 7 days without obvious cause that does not go away without medication; Persistent sleepiness, tiredness, and/or paleness; Frequent headaches for no apparent reason that wake you up during sleep; Sudden unexplained bruising Injuries; Bleeding gums and/or nose for no apparent reason are symptoms and warning signs, he explains.
In addition to loss of balance or recurring spontaneous dizziness; Unexpected changes in behavior; Reflection of white light in the eyes during physical examination or photography; Persistent, persistent, and specific bone pain that may even lead to increased size and lameness; Neck, armpit, or groin The presence of a lump larger than two centimeters; and abnormal growths in the abdomen.
The health minister urged parents to be extremely vigilant, as if a minor receives a blow or falls at knee or arm level, this may cause some inflammation that may lead to a type of infection. Bone cancer.
Among solids, he noted, the most common cancer in the child and adolescent population is leukemia, accounting for 56% of cases; in addition to central nervous system tumors at the level of the abdomen and bones of the extremities, such as osteosarcoma.
To reduce the risk of cancer, he recommends that it’s important to get the hepatitis B vaccine during pregnancy; get the appropriate studies, such as a Pap smear; avoid drugs and maintain a good diet.
For girls, boys and teenagers, it is recommended to engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day, get vaccinated against hepatitis B starting at age 12, eat a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and avoid junk food and products with seals, as well as daily Sunscreen. In the specific case of girls, get the HPV vaccine.
Finally, the head of state health policy said that thanks to the early detection of childhood cancers, 70 cases are referred annually to tertiary care at the pediatric specialty hospital in the capital of Chiapas.