NEWS

The children's cancer charity, the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT), is highlighting the crucial role health visitors can play in the early diagnosis retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer.

Mum Megan spotted an unusual glow in her son Arlo's eye in August 2023. She said, ‘I had noticed something and the next day my sister had him for the day. She called me and said that his eye was completely white while playing in his cousin's room, directly in the sunlight. I was pregnant at the time and had my health visitor coming that week so I thought I would ask her advice and she said to take him straight to the hospital. Arlo had just turned 5.’

After routine eye tests at their local hospital, Arlo was referred urgently to the Royal London Hospital, where he was diagnosed with retinoblastoma. A week later, his right eye was removed, followed by chemotherapy. Arlo, who turns 6 in May, has recovered well.