Sankara Nethralaya’s Message during Retinoblastoma Awareness Week
World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week
8th May to 15th May 2022
Chennai, TN, 11-05-2022 – Childhood eye cancer (Retinoblastoma) is one of the most common childhood cancers that affect children, which is curable when detected early. Sankara Nethralaya called in a press meet during World Retinoblastoma Week (8th May to 15th May 2022) to highlight this disease, its prevention, and cure and to spread awareness about this disease to the general public. Over 150 children with childhood eye cancers have been treated by Sankara Nethralaya – one of the highest in world. This institution is also one of the few eye care facilities in India to specialise in childhood eye cancer (Retinoblastoma).
Dr Charanya C, Associate Consultant, Viteoretinal services gave a short introduction, titled Retinoblastoma an eye opener, focusing on the fact that fighting Retinoblastoma in children is a team effort. She explained that familial or heredity contributed to several cases, in which instance, the disease can even be prevented in the womb.
The well-known tertiary eye care facility called in a panel of doctors who are involved in treating children with childhood eye cancer, alongside Sankara Nethralaya’s well-experienced retinoblastoma specialists to field the questions from the press.
A few of the patients and their guardians were also present to tell their stories and contribute towards raising awareness about the disease. Two of the patients had familial retinoblastoma, while the cause of the disease was unknown (sporadic) for one patient.
Present were Dr. Lingam Gopal, Distinguished Senior Consultant and Dr. G. Suganeswari, Senior Consultant, Department of Vitreo Retinal Services; Dr Veena Noronha, Senior Radiologist; V. R. R Scans; Dr. K. Satish Srinivas and Dr. Christopher John, Radiation Oncology, Ramachandra Medical Centre, Dr Pritam Chatterjee, and Dr. (Prof) S. Krishna Kumar, Chief Scientist, Laboratory Services – Histo Pathology Lab, among others.
The press meet closed on a positive note with the doctors assuring everyone that treatment was eligible under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme and even the Indian government was making all efforts to help lessen the burden on parents of children with Retinoblastoma.