Childhood cancer: know the early warning signs

The National Department of Health (NDoH) urges health care workers and communities to be aware of the SILUAN warning signs for childhood cancer. This will allow for early detection and effective management of childhood cancers which will result in better outcomes.

Approximately 400 000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer annually. The South African children’s Tumour Registry reports 1000 new children and adolescents with cancer annually, but many are missed and do not receive treatment.

Parents, educators, general practitioners and paediatricians play a crucial role in early detection of childhood cancers. It is important to know the early signs of childhood cancers which include a white spot in the eye or sudden blindness; lump on any place on the body mostly in the abdomen, neck and limbs; unexplained fever or weight loss; aching bones and easy fractures; and a change in behaviour, gait, headaches and regression in milestones.

The country joins the global community to commemorate International Childhood Cancer Day to raise awareness about childhood cancers and to express support for children and adolescents living with cancer, the survivors, and their families. The common childhood cancers in South Africa are leukaemia, lymphoma, brain tumours, eye and kidney tumours.

The International Childhood Cancer Day is observed on the 15th of February annually to highlight the vital role of community engagement and support in addressing the complexities associated with childhood and adolescent cancer.

The NDoH in collaboration with the South African Association of Paediatric Haematology of Oncology (SAAPHO), WHO and CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA acknowledge and commend the significant contributions made towards the care of children and adolescents with cancer by various stakeholders, including the medical community, civil society, parent groups, non-governmental organisations and individual members of our society.

Hedley Lewis, CHOC CEO has said, “these contributions provide crucial support to children and adolescents with cancer, survivors, and their families. Cancer impacts negatively on siblings and other family members. The challenges faced by these families extend beyond medical treatment, encompassing emotional, physical and social, financial, educational, and long-term health effects”.

According to Professor Gita Naidu, chair of South African Association of Paediatric Haematology Oncology, there is a need to raise primary health care and community awareness of the SILUAN Early Warning Signs of childhood cancers especially amongst parents, caregivers and educators.

Early diagnosis and swift referral to treating centres is imperative to improve the outcomes of this dreaded disease. Childhood cancer is curable, but only if diagnosed and treated timeously”. Cancer care includes early diagnosis, the availability of diagnostics and therapeutics, supportive, long-term follow-up, quality of life and palliative care.

The WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) was launched in September 2018 with the aim of improving the global overall survival to 60% by 2030 and to allow these children and adolescents to live and die without pain and suffering. South Africa remains committed to focusing on childhood cancer and is aligned with the WHO-GICC goals.

SAAPHO and CHOC are hosting SIOP Africa in Johannesburg from 4-8 June 2024, and this will create an opportunity to share knowledge, foster collaborate, engage with stakeholders nationally, on the continent and globally with the aim of improving the lives of children and adolescents with cancer.

International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day is 15 February.

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