400 000 children world cancer

Almost 400 000 children globally has cancer. Image: Pexels/Contton Studio

Almost 400 000 children worldwide are annually diagnosed with cancer

Almost 400 000 children globally has cancer.

400 000 children world cancer

Almost 400 000 children globally has cancer. Image: Pexels/Contton Studio

A total of 400 000 children globally are diagnosed annually with cancer, with South African accounting for almost 1 500 cases.

CHILDREN FACE UNIQUE AND COMPLEX CHALLENGES

South Africa joins the global community on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, to observe International Childhood Cancer Day to raise awareness and improve understanding of childhood cancer.

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International Childhood Cancer Day is observed annually across the world on February 15. The 2023 campaign is celebrated under the theme: #ThroughTheirHands, which focuses on paying tribute to the families and caregivers, and the positive impact they have on the lives of children and adolescents with cancer.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health, Foster Mohale, says childhood cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in high-income countries amongst children under the age of 15.

cancer children diagnosed
Over 36 000 patients have to wait for surgeries in Gauteng public hospitals. Image: Westend61

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1 500 CHILDREN IN SOUTH AFRICA ARE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER

“Although childhood cancer is relatively rare, the incidence rate has been increasing, which may be due to awareness. Almost 400 000 children are diagnosed annually. South Africa accounts for almost 1 500 of this global number,” says Mohale.

He said many children in low-and-middle-income countries are either not diagnosed on time or referred too late for curative care.

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One of the contributing factors is a lack of awareness and knowledge of the early warning signs of cancer in children.

The most common childhood cancers include leukemia, lymphoma, brain, kidney, and eye tumors.

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The Department of Health, together with the South African Children’s Cancer Study Group and CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa, has initiated a program to disseminate information. This is to empower the communities with knowledge about early warning signs. It is also to inform them of the unique and complex challenges children diagnosed with cancer face.

They also endeavour to support all children diagnosed with cancer during their arduous journey.

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“The World Health Organization, governments, civil society organisations, and health care workers are in partnership to meet the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) goals of a 60% overall survival in children and adolescents. This is for children with cancer in low-and middle-income countries by 2030,” says Mohale.

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parents and caregivers are urged to familiarise themselves with the Early Warning Signs by visiting the following link: https://choc.org.za/childhood-cancer-early-warning-signs/

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