Health-Cancer in children

Health Reporter
The number of children seeking treatment for different types of cancers increased by 48 percent in 2013 compared to those diagnosed the previous year, a local charity organisation working with the children has said. In an interview ahead of the International Children’s Cancer Day commemorated on February 15 every year, an official with KidsCan Mr Dennis Anderson said his organisation assisted 315 children diagnosed with cancer and were admitted to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in 2012.

He said in 2013, the number increased to 466.
Mr Anderson said the most common type of cancers were brain tumours, kaposi sarcoma, leukemia, ovarian cancer, sickle cell anaemia, Wilms tumour, liver cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, among others. He attributed the increase to educational campaigns by his organisation to various health institutions and communities across the country.

“The increase in the number of children supported in 2013 compared with 2012 is 48 percent and is as a consequence of our outreach educational programme where we conduct workshops at provincial and district hospitals with health professionals from adjacent clinics,” he said.

Mr Anderson said meetings with health professionals were meant to educate the cadres on identifying signs and symptoms of cancers in children and refer accordingly.

He said at the same venues, similar educational activities were held with traditional medical practitioners.It is by this process that the referral system for children suspected of suffering from cancer is implemented.

“After identifying the children, we assist them in accessing health care at Parirenyatwa Hospital. KidsCan provides financial support for investigations and treatment of the same,” he said. Meanwhile, Mr Anderson called on all Zimbabweans to wear orange on 15 February in solidarity with the children.“Providing families with the means and tools to fight their child’s cancer is absolutely necessary, but actually it is hope that we want to foster and ultimately make a reality for these parents. We want people to know that children can survive cancer,” he said.

KidsCan is a private voluntary organisation whose efforts are meant to improve provision of early diagnosis and effective treatment of cancer in children. February is dedicated a month for cancer to create awareness on cancer issues across the globe.

The World Cancer Day is commemorated on February 28 annually.