In most cancers in children and teenagers, the focus needs to be on raising awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer to aid early diagnosis.

To support children and teenagers with cancer, Cupcakes For Kids With Cancer will be hosting an all-day event for National Cupcake Day at the Village Square Shopping Centre on Saturday, 29 September in the Edgars Court.

According to the most recent statistics available, Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma are two of the leading cancers among teens. They account for nearly a quarter of all the cancers affecting teens, with a five-year survival rate of 79 per cent in South Africa.

Factors relating to lower survival rates include HIV infection and advanced stage disease due to lack of early detection. In South Africa, the lack of adolescent-specific wards also has an impact on oncology care.

Dr Jennifer Geel, a Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) funded researcher, said, “A diagnosis of cancer is devastating for anyone, but teens are also coming to terms with rapidly changing life circumstances such as puberty, high school, entry into the workplace, relationships and becoming adult members of society, and a diagnosis of cancer puts everything on hold. They struggle to manage themselves while their lives are threatened. There are high rates of depression among teen patients, but it’s often undiagnosed.”

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a highly treatable cancer that affects adolescents and young adults; however, the survival rate among HIV positive patients drops to approximately 45 per cent. Nutrition is a major factor in whether a patient survives or not,” Jennifer added.

In order for patients to be diagnosed early enough to benefit from treatment, it’s important to know the signs, which can vary widely depending on where the Lymphoma is found in the body. Look out for enlarged lymph nodes which are seen or felt as lumps under the skin; a swollen abdomen; feeling full after only a small amount of food; shortness of breath or a cough; fever; weight loss; night sweats and fatigue.

The Cansa Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) children and teens’ support programme embraces a holistic approach to include the emotional and social well-being of parents or guardians, children or teens, and their siblings.

According to Cara Noble, Cansa’s Service Delivery National Relationship Manager, “Teenagers are stuck in the middle and are old enough to have a better understanding of what is happening to them, but at the same time, they’re still children, and struggle with how to cope and process their current reality,” she said.

Cansa TLC also supports the child who has a parent or sibling that has been diagnosed with cancer and has often had to become a caregiver.

• Source: Cansa and Cupcakes For Kids With Cancer