South Coast Fever

Raising awareness on childhood cancer

According to the World Health Organisation, in commemorating International Childhood Cancer Day, they highlight the vital role of parents, doctors and paediatricians in the early detection of childhood cancers.

International Childhood Cancer Day was observed on February 15, and globally more than 1 000 children are diagnosed with cancer every day.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in commemorating International Childhood Cancer Day, it highlight the vital role of parents, doctors and paediatricians in the early detection of childhood cancers.

The organisation said no one is more ready to invest in their children’s well-being than parents, saying that by getting to know the early signs and symptoms of certain cancers and looking out for them, they could save their child’s life.

“Recent medical advances make for very high chances of survival in high-income countries, where more than 80% of children diagnosed with cancer will survive. Yet only about 20% of children diagnosed with cancer will survive in some low- and middle-income countries. The latest estimates show that in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, more than 70% of all children with a cancer diagnosis died in 2022. Unlike cancer in adulthood, the underlying factors that contribute to childhood cancer are poorly understood, and only a small fraction of childhood cancers can be prevented. This means that the recovery of these children largely depends on the capacity of health systems to ensure timely diagnosis, early referral and appropriate treatment. Achieving this is especially challenging in the many countries of the region that contend with humanitarian emergencies, natural disasters and political instability,” said WHO.

The organisation added that their ambitious goal can be reached mainly by strengthening health systems, so that primary health providers – or even parents – can spot the early signs of childhood cancer, and a referral system can direct the child to the specialised care vital for their survival.

“As well as treatment, children also require focused attention for their ongoing physical and cognitive development and nutritional well-being. This calls for care by a committed, multidisciplinary team. Parents, general practitioners and paediatricians play a vital role in detecting childhood cancer early on. It is crucial to know the early signs and symptoms of certain cancers and stay on the lookout for them in your children. Let us all contribute to a future where every child has the chance to live a full, healthy life, no matter where they are born. International Childhood Cancer Day is not just about raising awareness and expressing support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families. This day is also a call to each of us to play a part in the fight against childhood cancer,” said the organisation.

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