WATCH: Stepping Stone Hospice supports childhood cancer
Paediatric oncologist, Dr Tanya Krakowitzer, says childhood cancer is becoming more prevalent, although it is rare.
With September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Stepping Stone Hospice & Care Services advocates for awareness, research and support against childhood cancer.
Stepping Stone Hospice & Care Services, under the leadership of CEO Tersia Burger, expresses solidarity with children and families affected by cancer.
She also reaffirmed the hospice’s commitment to providing high-quality, specialist care to people whose condition no longer responds to curative treatment, from diagnosis to death.
She said they aim to meet the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of their patients and to ensure their families are supported both through and after this difficult time.
“Child cancer is highly curable with survival rates of around 80% in developed countries, yet in low- and middle-income countries tens of thousands of children die needlessly every year from the disease – most dying without any effective pain relief.
“Poor diagnosis coupled with too few specially trained doctors and nurses and the mistaken belief that child cancer is too difficult to cure combine to create very low survival rates,” according to the South African Government.
In raising awareness, the organisation got together with Netcare Alberton Hospital’s paediatric oncologist, Dr Tanya Krakowitzer, who stressed the importance of childhood cancer awareness.
@albertonrecord Stepping Stone Hospice supports childhood cancer Paediatric oncologist, Dr Tanya Krakowitzer, says childhood cancer is becoming more prevalent, although it is rare.
“If your child has a wet spot in the eye and a change in his vision, please go to the doctor urgently. If your child has big lumps in the abdomen, pelvis, neck or head area, or anywhere that’s persistent or getting bigger, that’s something to get checked out.
“If your child has an ongoing fever, unexplained weight loss or unexplained fatigue, seek medical help. If your child has bone aches, especially a pain that wakes a child up at night, that’s something to report on,” she said.
Krakowitzer said parents should consult with a doctor immediately if their child loses his balance and falls more than usual.
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