Early detection of cancer in children is vital for survival
THE paediatric haematology oncology unit at Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg will host a childhood cancer awareness programme tomorrow.
With September marking Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, there will be talks by medical professionals, pharmacists, parents of children with cancer, and survivors of childhood cancer.
Dr Kamalina Coopasamy, a paediatric oncologist, said: “We want to bring some positivity, hope and relief to children who are fighting the illness. We also want to educate the community on the early warning signs of childhood cancer to prevent late diagnosis.”
She said the international awareness symbol for childhood cancer was a gold ribbon.
“Gold is a precious metal. Similarly, gold symbolises the resilience, courage and strength of our precious childhood cancer heroes.”
According to research by Coopasamy, more than 300 000 children are diagnosed with cancer annually.
Eighty percent of these children are diagnosed in low- to middle-income countries. She said in Africa, about 30 000 new cases of childhood cancer were diagnosed a year.
“There are various types of cancers that affect children. According to international research, the most common form is leukaemia. It makes up a quarter of all cancer diagnoses in South Africa. Lymphoma is the next common diagnosis, and among the rest are brain tumours.
“Internationally, leukaemia and brain tumours make up 50% of childhood cancer diagnoses. However, in South Africa, this is only 14% of the cancer diagnoses.”
She said there were warning signs that children could have the illness.
Coopasamy said a 5-year-old child should not complain of a persistent headache, which is not relieved by
Panado. “Especially if this is associated with vomiting. This is a sign of possible raised intra-cranial pressure, with brain tumour being a possible cause.
“Late diagnosis is associated with more advanced disease. The more advanced your disease, the harder it is to cure. Some of the reasons children present late are the child’s age at diagnosis, parents level of education, type of cancer, late presentation of symptoms or painless masses, tumour site or cancer stage.
“Sometimes children are misdiagnosed as having TB and present late with advanced disease. Some cancers double very fast, and some double in size in 25 hours. So time is crucial in childhood cancer, and early diagnosis is imperative in improving outcomes.”
Coopasamy said that cancer was wrongly associated with stigma in some communities.
“The perspective on adult cancers is incorrectly transferred to childhood cancer. With improvement in treatment, at least 80% of children with cancer in high-income countries will survive.”
She said studies had shown that recurrent admissions, invasive treatments for the child, role shifts within the family and the uncertainty of prognosis could be stressful for the family.
“Physical disfigurements, especially cranial and spinal deformities, and hair loss due to treatment on childhood cancer survivors might have a significant psychological impact. Such physical disfigurement might increase the risks of developing anxiety, depression and a negative self-image.
“Parents sometimes leave their jobs to stay with their children during intensive chemotherapy, which requires prolonged admissions.
“A child with leukaemia will receive treatment for up to three years. This involves many hospital visits, multiple drips, many blood tests and other investigations.
“The stress and challenges that children are faced with are daunting to most adults, but despite all their challenges, they are still happy, playful, kind and compassionate.”
Coopasamy said it was difficult to completely prevent cancer as there were some cancers to which people were genetically predisposed.
“However, there are some things which can be done to prevent certain cancers, like maternal tobacco smoking or second-hand smoking. Second-hand smoke has been found to be implicated in 25% of leukaemia in children.”
She said the public should support childhood cancer organisations by giving their time and resources.
“If you see someone in your community with some of the early warning signs of cancer, encourage the family to seek help immediately. Offer to babysit other children in the family of a child with cancer to make it easier for the caregiver to seek treatment. Teach your children to be supportive of other children with cancer and educate children not to ridicule or isolate our cancer warriors.”
Coopasamy also works at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital.