Going gold for childhood cancer
Although there are many advances in paediatric oncology, cancer remains a leading cause of mortality in children.
GOLD September is an annual campaign worldwide to raise awareness of childhood cancer.
Although there are many advances in paediatric oncology, cancer remains a leading cause of mortality in children.
According to Childhood Cancer Foundation SA (CHOC), which supports Gold September, it is imperative that children are diagnosed early for effective treatment of early-stage disease, which will translate into favourable outcomes and improve overall survival.
“Many factors are responsible for delays in childhood cancer, including the child’s age, family’s socioeconomic status, parental educational level, distance of residence from the hospital, cancer type, size, and stage.
“Many children in low and middle-income countries have poor access to hospitals, which in turn lack essential diagnostic tests, experience a shortage of nursing medical and surgical personnel, inadequate and erratic supply of basic pharmaceutical and chemotherapeutic agents, and an absence of radiotherapy, surgical and intensive care facilities. These are but some of the factors which contribute to patients presenting with advanced disease and resultant poorer outcomes,” said chairperson of South African Children’s Cancer Study Group, Professor Gita Naidu.
Naidu advised that as neonatal, infant and child health improves in South Africa it is important to focus on non-communicable diseases such as childhood cancer and identify these diseases early, have access to the correct diagnostics and therapeutics and ensure the availability of supportive care to improve the overall survival of children with cancer.
“The burden of the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is further testing our fragile African health care systems. Many caregivers are unemployed due to lockdowns, there are inadequate transport systems, and caregivers are afraid to venture out of the safety of their homes to seek healthcare as the ever-present danger of contracting Covid-19 lurks. Sadly, we may experience even further delays in the diagnosis of childhood cancer.
“We should endeavour to ensure children with cancer do not face further delays in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic,” said director of non-communicable diseases at the national Department of Health, Sandhya Singh. The Siluan Warning Signs for childhood cancer were adopted by the South African Children’s Cancer Study Group and the national Department of Health to promote the early detection and
CHOC encourages the community to be a voice of hope this September and collaborate with health care workers, non-profit organisations, and the Department of Health to spread the Siluan Warning Signs for early cancer diagnosis. This could possibly save the life of a child or teenager.
“September sees a dawn of importance where we amplify the voice on behalf of those voices that desperately need to be heard. It is a month where we draw further attention to childhood cancer and the many families who have children that have gone through the journey or are going through the journey. As CHOC we acknowledge the Department of Health, hospital and paediatric oncology teams who work tirelessly with these families not just during September but every day,” said CHOC CEO, Hedley Lewis.
If you are concerned that your child may have cancer, refer them to the CHOC patient referral pathways on CHOC’s website at www.choc.org.za. For more information call 086 111 3500.
