International childhood cancer day is observed every year on the 15th of feb. This day is observed to highlight the vital role of parents, as well as family doctors and paediatricians, in the early detection of childhood cancers. No one is more ready to invest in their children’s well-being than parents. By getting to know the early signs and symptoms of certain cancers and looking out for them, you could save your child’s life, says WHO.
According to a report :”Globally, more than 1000 children are diagnosed with cancer every day. Recent medical advances make very high chances of survival in high-income countries, where more than 80% of children diagnosed with cancer will survive. Yet only about 20% of children diagnosed with cancer will survive in some low- and middle-income countries.”
WHO says: “Early detection of childhood cancer increases the chances for survival.In 2018, we launched the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC). Its main goal is to reduce the survival gap by 2030, by making sure that at least 60% of children with cancer worldwide will survive their diagnosis. GICC is a cooperative effort involving WHO on a global, regional and country-specific scale, in partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”
“This ambitious goal can be reached mainly by strengthening health systems, so that primary health providers – or even parents – are able to spot the early signs of childhood cancer, and a referral system can direct the child to the specialized care vital for their survival. As well as treatment, children also require focused attention for their ongoing physical and cognitive development and nutritional well-being. This calls for care by a committed, multidisciplinary team,”says a team of doctors heading GICC.
They further added: “Parents, general practitioners and paediatricians play a vital role in detecting childhood cancer early on. It is crucial to know the early signs and symptoms of certain cancers and stay on the lookout for them in your children.”
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