Wednesday, 30 September 2026

Kidwai treats nearly 600 new childhood cancer cases every year

Around 22,000 new cancer cases are being registered at the institute annually.

The Hindu

3 hours ago · 1 min read★ 4.0 trust

The State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) treats nearly 600 new childhood cancer cases every year, said institute director R. Krishnappa.

Speaking after inaugurating the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month programme at the Infosys Auditorium at the institute on Wednesday (September 30), Dr. Krishnappa said around 22,000 new cancer cases were being registered at the institute annually.

He said an estimated 975 children are diagnosed with cancer in Karnataka every year, of whom around 280 to 300 are from Bengaluru. Among cancer cases reported across all age groups, boys account for about 2.7% of cases among males and girls for about 1.3% among females, he said.

Medical Superintendent T. Naveen said the institute had a dedicated Kapoor Block for the treatment and care of children with cancer. As part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, several awareness programmes would be organised, he said.

The institute also has a bone marrow transplant unit to treat children with challenging cancers such as leukaemia, Dr. Naveen said. “We have the necessary treatment facilities for children with cancer and have adopted modern medical facilities in line with World Health Organisation guidelines to improve survival,” he said.

Cancer diagnosis often causes considerable emotional distress among patients and their families, said KMIO Chief Administrative Officer S. Kathyayani Devi.

She said counselling was important to help patients develop the confidence to face the disease and undergo treatment. The institute plans to submit a proposal to the Department of Women and Child Development for setting up counselling centres for cancer patients undergoing treatment and those who have recovered, she said.

She also stressed the need to conduct cancer-awareness programmes at the district and taluk levels.

Read the full story at The Hindu.

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