FEBRUARY 15 is International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD). This day was started as a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to express support for children with cancer, survivors and their families.
In developed countries, childhood cancer has become largely curable, with the overall survival rate reaching between 70% and 80%, whereas in South Africa, the rate is only about 50%. CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation) aims to improve this rate through the early detection awareness training which affords early diagnosis.
In support of ICCD, we urge the community to wear blue with your ICCD badge or heart pin on February 15, or the days leading up to it. In addition to wearing blue, one can also buy a loved one a delicious chocolate or a trendy “have a heart for children with cancer" badge or heart pin.
You can also visit the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation website – www.choc.org.za – to purchase the badges on their online store or to find out about the early warning signs of childhood cancer. Knowing about these signs and passing on your knowledge could well save a precious child’s life.
How rife is childhood cancer? Sadly, the incidence is growing. According to the World Health Organisation, the incidence of childhood cancer globally is around 160 000 new cases each year. Fortunately, through the advances made in treatment, childhood cancer is largely curable. In developed countries like the US, UK and Japan, eight or nine out of 10 kids survive to live productive and meaningful lives.
The survival rate in the UK, for example, has increased from 10% 40 years ago to 90% today. In contrast, the survival rate of the most common childhood cancers in South Africa is a poor 52,1%*. This, however, is far better than other developing countries because our children, thankfully, can be referred to paediatric oncology units at state-funded academic hospitals.
Unfortunately, in many cases, the cancer in most of the children referred is already in advanced stages, which significantly reduces the chances of survival. Early detection can dramatically change this scenario. Leaflets detailing early warning signs are available from CHOC as part of the organisation's awareness programme.
CHOC is the only organisation in South Africa that provides nationwide physical and psychosocial support to children with cancer and other life-threatening blood disorders – and their families. The organisation, which has a head office, eight regional offices and 12 accommodation facilities, also supports the specialist-treatment facilities in academic hospitals.
You can watch the International Childhood Cancer Day video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBiPDp4f4sA&feature=youtu.be