Gov’t urged to intensify fight against cancer

The International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) and the Intentional Childhood Cancer Confederation of Parents Organizations (ICCCPO) have called on governments worldwide to intensify efforts in fighting childhood cancer.

The two organizations represent more than 1,500 pediatric oncologists and 158 parent support organizations, representing nearly 85 per cent of the world’s population.

A statement issued by SIOP, copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday, said children with cancer could be spared from some of the effects of the most intensive treatment if the disease was diagnosed early and treatment begun properly.

It said one of the most fundamental approaches to closing the survival gap for children with cancer in poor and 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 levels 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 said 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.

The statement said: “We call on more governments to partner with ICCCPO members, 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 organisations urged stakeholders at national level to join forces to ensure that childhood cancer was diagnosed early.

SIOP, which was established in 1969, is the lead organization concerned with issues of children and young people, who have cancer; whiles the ICCCPO is an organization that represents families of children with cancer.