International Childhood Cancer Day: Prompt diagnosis and treatment key to improving chances of survival

Every February 15, the global pediatric cancer community commemorates the International Childhood Cancer Day with a collaborative campaign to raise awareness of oncological pathologies in children and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, survivors and their families. It is that, according to Pan American Health Organization (OPS), prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to improve the chances of survival.

According to the Pan American Health Entity, cancer is one of the leading causes of death of children and adolescents from all over the world. Every year, more than 400,000 children are diagnosed with this disease globally. In the Americas Region, it is estimated that there was 32,065 new cases cancer in 2020 in children aged 0 to 14; 20,855 of these cases are in countries in Latin America and the Caribbean; Given that in this region every year 29,000 children receive this diagnosis.

He 55% of children and adolescents with cancer are cured in Latin America and the Caribbean, but most patients suffer from unequal access to treatment, PAHO reported. “The vast majority of children with cancer live in low- and middle-income countries, where they face unacceptable inequalities in areas such as early detection, diagnosis, and access to treatment and palliative care. quality,” she said. Anselme Henis, Director of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at PAHO, in a statement.

These inequalities generate differences in survival rates ranging from 80% to 20% depending on the country. To mitigate it, PAHO has promoted in the region Heal everything, a global initiative that aims increase the global cure rate for childhood cancers to 60% by 2030, and is working on a project to help low- and middle-income countries expand their access to life-saving essential medicines, the statement added.

“Although Latin America and the Caribbean is very close to the 60% target as a region, we must do everything we can to close the gaps,” he said. Mauricio Maza, PAHO Regional Advisor on Cancer Prevention and Control. One of the problems that prevent increasing the level of survival is the high drop-out rates, which in low- and middle-income countries in the region is 30%.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the treatment of childhood cancer, leading to increased survival rates. But given the complexity of current therapeutic procedures, children with cancer must be referred as soon as possible to centers with specialized human and technical resources, where they are cared for by staff trained in pediatric onco-haematology. Therefore, it is essential that parents and healthcare personnel know the first signs and symptoms and be alert to act in case they appear.

At the initiative of the International Childhood Cancer Organization (ICC), a network of 177 organizations of parents of children with cancer from 90 countries, the February 15, 2002 It has been declared International Childhood Cancer Day. Since then, during the month of February, the Organizations that help children and young people with cancer around the world perform various Shares to better appreciate and understand the issues affecting children with cancer and survivors, as well as the challenges they face.

To save lives and reduce the suffering of children with cancer, these initiatives seek to increase the capacity of countries to deliver quality services children with cancer and prioritize childhood cancer nationally, regionally and globally to drive the action.

International Childhood Cancer Day is based on the fundamental belief of ICC enough to every child with cancer deserves the best medical and psychosocial care, regardless of their country of origin, economic status or social class. It is also based on the assumption that the death of children with cancer is preventable, with accurate and timely diagnosis, availability and access to appropriate treatment and care.

There Natalí Dafne Flexer Foundation, to help children, adolescents and young people with cancer, invites everyone to “Put on the T-shirt” this Wednesday, February 15, and to go out in the street with the foundation’s T-shirt or a white item of clothing, thus demonstrating our support for children with cancer.

The central call will take place at the Alto Palermo shopping center, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. There, everyone who donates will receive the official campaign t-shirt, designed by the designer Gustavo Sala. They will also have the opportunity to participate in the Flexer Flash Day, an action in which different designers and illustrators will participate in live t-shirts. For every shirt purchased that day, Alto Palermo will donate $2,000.

Those who cannot approach can obtain their official jersey by registering during the month of February at www.ponetelacamiseta.org. All funds raised during the campaign will go to support for programs and services that the foundation provides free of charge each month to approximately 1,500 children and their families.

This year under the slogan “Better survival of adolescents and young people with cancer is possible”, the Natalí Dafne Flexer Foundation, as a representative of the National network of organizations helping children and adolescents with cancer composed of 23 organizations from all over the country, proposes these actions to emphasize the importance for adolescents and young people with cancer of access to comprehensive and specialized care.

“He diagnostic of an oncological disease has a very particular impact on adolescents and young people, very different from what happens in childhood. During treatment, the identity, autonomy and social integration of adolescents and young people are threatened, jeopardizing compliance. On the other hand, the maintenance steps there control These are times when adolescents and young people feel ‘cured’ and often they do not strictly follow the medical prescriptions and the periodic checks they must carry out,” he said. leticia garcia executive director of the foundation.

For its part, Edith Grynszpancholc, president, explained: “Evidence suggests that some adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancers may have special genetic and biological characteristics who respond better to treatment and care from pediatric specialists. Following the current global trend, we believe that the treatment of AYA should be carried out jointly between pediatric and adult oncologists, in differentiated care and hospitalization spaces, with particular emphasis on the rehabilitation of sequelae. Psychosocial support should also be offered according to their needs on issues related to access and adherence to treatment, the practice of healthy behaviors, social, educational and professional reintegration, etc.

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