In the wake of World Cancer Day on 4 February, the SA Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) underscores the escalating trend of children referred for stem cell transplantation due to blood disorders and childhood cancers. Over the past four years, 35% of more than 800 patients referred were under 18, emphasising the critical need for early diagnosis and intervention.
Deputy director Jane Ward emphasises the prevalence of leukaemia and lymphoma among children globally, with half of South African cases affecting those under four.
Childhood cancer’s elusive symptoms, often mirroring common ailments, necessitate vigilant parental attention to persistent issues. Ward reveals the tragic reality that two-thirds of children with cancer in South Africa never reach specialised treatment centres, resulting in advanced-stage diagnoses.
Early detection saves lives
International survival rates for childhood cancers in low-to-middle-income countries linger around 20%, starkly contrasting the 80% in high-income nations. The WHO’s Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer strives for a 60% survival rate by 2030, urging comprehensive efforts from governments, healthcare providers, and organizations.
Ward highlights societal stigmas and myths, hindering timely diagnoses. She emphasises the urgent need to dispel misconceptions, particularly surrounding certain local and ethnic groups that contribute to delayed treatments.
The SABMR advocates for increased awareness of childhood cancer warning signs to facilitate early diagnoses. Ward urges prompt medical attention for persistent symptoms and provides symptoms for three common childhood cancers – acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL), and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) – all treatable with successful stem cell transplants.
“We’ve witnessed inspiring success stories of children overcoming cancer, attesting to the transformative impact of timely diagnoses and proper treatment,” says Ward. The SABMR stresses the importance of proactive parental engagement with healthcare practitioners for early detection, aiming to reduce childhood cancer and mortality rates.
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