Spot childhood cancer warning signs

Allison Cooper

Childhood cancer is on the rise globally, with an esti mated one in 408 children worldwide diagnosed with cancer before the age of 15.
According to Taryn See-gers, the Communications Coordinator at the Child-hood Cancer Foundation of South Africa (CHOC), it is believed that two thirds of children with cancer do not receive treatment and often those who do are already in the late stages of the disease.Since 2011, CHOC has been working with the Department of Health and traditional healers to provide health professio-nals, healthcare workers, traditional healers and com-munities with knowledge of childhood cancer. “These individuals are taught the Siluan early war-ning signs and learn how to demystify myths and stigma in communities,” says Seegers.The Siluan early warning signs are:
• Seek: Medical help for early, persistent symp-toms.• Eye: White spot in the eye, new squint, new blindness, bulging eye-ball.• Lump: Abdomen and pel-vis, head and neck, limbs, testes and glands.• Unexplained: Prolonged fever over two weeks, weight loss, pallor, fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding.• Aching: Bones, joints, back and easy fractures.• Neurological signs: Change or deteriora-tion in walk, balance or speech, regression of milestones, headache for more than a week with or without vomiting and an enlarged head.Childhood cancersChildhood cancers are dif-ferent from cancers affecting adults. They tend to occur in the organs of the body, look different under the micros-cope and respond more favourably to treatment, says Seegers.“Cure rates for most childhood cancers are much higher than those for most adult cancers. Today, in developing countries, the majority of childhood cancers can be treated very effectively, and between 50% to 60% can be cured. In high-income countries, the survival rate can be between 85% to 90%.”More children need to be diagnosed while the disease is still in its early stages and receive the correct treatment – at specialised treatment centres from appropriate specialists – if the survival rate is to be improved.  vFor more  information, contact CHOC’s helpline at 0800 333 555 or go to www. choc.org.zaCHILDHOOD CANCER Awareness Month, which takes place every September, creates awareness about many childhood cancers .
