More than half of the children who are diagnosed with cancer in India are undernourished, a condition which affects the recovery. According to a report released Thursday, which examines the impact of poor nutrition on paediatric cancer patients, approximately 76,000 children are diagnosed with cancer annually in India. Of these, 57 to 61 per cent are undernourished. Incidentally, September also marks childhood cancer awareness month.

The report, titled `Food Heals: Exploring Nutritional Aspects of Childhood Cancer in India`, was prepared by the city-based NGO Cuddles Foundation. The report was released at the NGO’s office situated at Lower Parel. It reveals that the majority of children diagnosed with cancer have hematological cancers (60 per cent), while 40 per cent have solid tumors. The data has remained consistent over the past three years. “High levels of undernutrition contribute to low cure rates among children in the country. Many children drop out of treatment due to pre-existing undernutrition combined with the side effects of therapy,” said Purnota Dutta Bahl, founder and CEO of the Cuddles Foundation.