Tanzania: Eye Cancer in Children 'Worrying
Dar es Salaam —
Experts in Tanzania have raised concerns about rising cases of eye
cancer also known as Retinoblastoma, which commonly affects children.
They released
statistics yesterday to show that the disease contributes to more than
50 per cent of deaths among children under the age of 5. Speaking during
commemoration of the week of "Retinoblastoma" awareness which started
on May 13 and is expected to end on May 19, an eye specialist in Dar es
Salaam, Dr Anna Sanyiwa, raised caution about the disease.
Dr Sanyiwa said that more children die from retinoblastoma because they are diagnosed late.
She explained that
retinoblastoma is an eye cancer that affects the retina of the eye and
it may be noticed through the pupil appearing to be white when light is
shone into the eyes. "85 per cent of the children who are affected by
the eye cancer visit health centres six to 10 months after discovering
the first signs which is usually too late," said Dr Sanyiwa.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment