Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Health Buzz
On Sunday, Zimbabwe joined the global community in commemorating International Childhood Cancer Day, a global awareness campaign dedicated to improving early detection, expanding access to quality treatment and increasing survival rates for children diagnosed with cancer.
While childhood cancers are relatively rare compared to adult cancers, their impact on families and health systems is profound. An estimated 400 000 children worldwide develop cancer each year, with nearly 90 percent living in low- and middle-income countries such as Zimbabwe, where delays in diagnosis and limited specialist services can affect outcomes.
In Zimbabwe, the National Cancer Registry recorded 293 childhood cancer cases in 2018, accounting for 3,7 percent of all cancers. The most commonly diagnosed types include acute leukaemia, renal tumours, retinoblastoma, lymphoma, soft tissue sarcomas and bone tumours.
The good thing is that health experts say childhood cancer is often curable. When detected early and treated appropriately, survival rates can reach up to 80 percent.
This makes awareness among parents, caregivers and frontline health workers not just important, but lifesaving.
This week, I spoke with paediatric oncologist Dr Loyce Hlatywayo (LH) about the burden of childhood cancer in Zimbabwe, the early warning signs that families should never ignore and why prompt referral to specialist care can dramatically improve a child’s chances of survival.
She answers some of the questions that may seem obvious, yet are often overlooked by parents who cannot imagine that cancer could affect their child.
I hope this interview will help that parent or caregiver understand more and pick the signs early enough to give their child a chance to survive.
Q: What exactly is childhood cancer, and how does it differ from cancers that affect adults?
LH: Childhood cancer is a rare disease that occurs when the body’s cells grow uncontrollably. It can develop in any part of the body — the eyes, muscles, organs or even the blood and bone marrow.
It differs from adult cancers because many adult cancers have preventable risk factors, such as smoking, alcohol or lifestyle choices. In children, there are usually no clear risk factors, so prevention is very difficult. Some children may have genetic predispositions, while in many cases we simply don’t know the cause.
Another difference is that children generally respond better to chemotherapy. When diagnosed early, about 80 percent can be completely cured and go on to live normal lives. That’s why we emphasise early suspicion and referral. Once treatment starts early and the child follows the correct plan with access to the right medicines, cure rates are very good.
Q: How big is the burden of childhood cancer in Zimbabwe and what types are most commonly diagnosed in children?
LH: Childhood cancer is a significant burden in Zimbabwe, although we are still trying to fully quantify it. We see about 250 to 300 new cases each year, and there are likely more children who never reach health facilities because of low awareness.
The numbers appear to be rising, but that is probably because more people now recognise the symptoms and come to hospital earlier, which is actually a positive sign.
The most common type is blood cancer (acute leukaemia), followed by kidney cancer (Wilms tumour), eye cancer (retinoblastoma) and lymphomas. We are also seeing more brain tumours.
Globally, brain tumours are the second most common childhood cancer, so we are working to strengthen our systems to diagnose and manage them because treatment is possible.
Q: Many parents mistake early symptoms for common childhood illnesses. What warning signs should caregivers look out for?
LH: Any lump that is growing where it shouldn’t be, or a swelling you can’t explain, should be checked. If there was no injury but a mass keeps growing and doesn’t go away, it needs medical attention.
A child’s abdomen may enlarge because an organ is growing abnormally. Limbs can also swell or become deformed. Sometimes a child may fracture a bone easily and an X-ray reveals an underlying mass.
For retinoblastoma, which usually affects children under two years, parents may notice a white spot in the eye. Many people call it “tsanga” (cataract), but children don’t develop cataracts like adults. That white spot should be checked immediately.
Other signs include unexplained weight loss, poor appetite, persistent fever lasting more than two weeks, and symptoms that don’t improve after infection has been ruled out.
For brain tumours, warning signs include persistent headaches, vomiting, sudden vision changes, poor school performance, unsteady walking, weakness on one side of the body or seizures. Not all seizures mean a tumour, but they should always be investigated.
Q: What challenges do families face when a child is diagnosed with cancer?
LH: Cancer affects the entire family, not just the child. Treatment can take months or even years and often requires prolonged hospital stays. That causes emotional strain for the child, parents and siblings.
There is also financial pressure because treatment and frequent hospital visits are costly. For the caregiver, that’s time away from work and unfortunately it’s not all employers that are understanding, so some lose their jobs.
Marriages and family relationships can also suffer. That’s why care must go beyond medical treatment. We need psychologists, social workers and financial support systems around these families.
The Government has been supportive, and partners such as Kidzcan Zimbabwe help when certain chemotherapy drugs are unavailable.
Q: There’s a belief that cancer is always a death sentence. So how treatable is childhood cancer if detected early?
LH: It is definitely not a death sentence. If children come early, about 80 percent can be cured. Even those who come late can still receive treatment that helps them.
For most children, we treat with the intention to cure. Only a small number present too late and require palliative care. So there is hope, especially when they access treatment at the right time.
Q: What message would you give to parents and caregivers about early screening and seeking help?
LH: If your child has symptoms you don’t understand or that are not going away, please seek medical attention quickly. And if you are referred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, do come. Even though I have said treatment can be expensive, there is support available through social workers and partners. When children come early and complete treatment, most of them can be cured.
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