Gold September: supporting SA children affected by cancer

CANCER IS ONE OF THE TOP CAUSES OF DISEASE-RELATED DEATHS AMONG CHILDREN WORLDWIDE

- NADIA KHAN

WITH more than 1 000 children diagnosed with childhood cancer in South Africa annually, and about a 60% survival rate due to the lack of or late diagnosis, calls have heightened for more awareness and support.

In commemoration of International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the national Department of Health, in collaboration with the South African Association of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (Saapho), the National Cancer Registry (NCR), CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa, and the World Health Organization (WHO), urge South Africans to come together in support of children and their families who are affected.

In a joint statement, the Health Department and the stakeholders said childhood cancer, while often seen as rare, was a major health issue and one of the top causes of disease-related deaths among children worldwide.

According to the WHO, there are about 400 000 new cases annually, with around 1 000 in South Africa. The NCR said leukemia was the most frequently diagnosed childhood cancer in South Africa. This is followed by tumours.