Intensify efforts in fighting childhood cancer’

It said one of the most fundamental approaches to closing the survival gap for children with cancer in resource-poor and resource-rich countries was early detection of the disease.

According to the statement, public education and awareness campaigns could increase the rate of early diagnosis in low and middle-income countries.

It said: “Governments and partners at national level are encouraged to join forces to ensure that childhood cancer is diagnosed early and accurately and that measures to ensure this are in place.”

The statement added that there was the need for national healthcare systems of many developing countries to be responsive to the needs of children with cancer and their families.

It also proposed that training of new health cadres be included in the curricula on childhood cancer, calling for measures to ensure the retention of the health professionals.

“We call on more governments to partner with members of the Intentional Childhood Cancer Confederation of Parents Organisations (ICCCPO), as some are doing already, to run awareness campaigns to inform not only the public but health care professionals as well on childhood cancer and its early warning signs,” the statement added.

The International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP), which was established in 1969, is the led organisation concerned with issues of children and young people who have cancer while the ICCCPO is an organisation that represents families of children with cancer.

GNA