Malnutrition is a serious issue that can have serious consequences for children's health.
The director of haemato-oncology and bone marrow transplant at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, stated in an interview that "undernutrition and food adulteration may potentially lead to cancer through suppression of DNA repair, elevation of oxidative stress, and compromised immune response to cancerous cells".
Malnutrition can raise a child's chance of developing cancer in the following ways:
Immune system weakness: The immune system plays a critical role in identifying and eliminating any malignant cell precursors. Children who are malnourished have weakened immune systems, are more susceptible to infection, and are unable to eliminate precancerous cells. Because the immune system is weakened in children from undernourished families, persistent infections like HPV and EBV can cause cancer.
DNA damage and oxidative stress: Zinc, A, C, and E deficiencies can raise oxidative stress levels, which can harm DNA. In the human body, free radicals can cause mutations that can result in cancer if the body is unable to combat them. Additionally, healthy eating encourages DNA repair processes, which stops genetic changes that could cause tumours from forming.
Growth retardation and hormonal imbalance: Malnutrition also modifies metabolism and growth hormone impacts, which may increase a person's susceptibility to various illnesses and cancers. Diets low in calories can disrupt the signalling of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which is involved in cell differentiation and proliferation. These pathways might be linked to a rise in cancer in children.
Poor treatment results and a delayed diagnosis: Children with cancer are typically undernourished and unable to withstand the prolonged and intense chemotherapy. Therefore, malnutrition lowers the body's ability to recover from harmful cancer therapies, increasing mortality and decreasing the likelihood of survival.
Advice for prevention and medical intervention:
• Early nutrition treatments should be used to ensure adequate intake of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
• Improving food security programs in low-income communities in an effort to improve people's diets.
• Regular examinations to spot possible health problems and early signs of malnutrition.
Campaigns to raise public awareness of the long-term consequences of undernutrition should be undertaken.
