An NGO, Akanimo Cancer Foundation, on Thursday, sensitised Abuja residents on symptoms, early detection, and treatment of childhood cancer to improve chances of survival.
The foundation embarked on a walk and sensitisation in Wuse market, Abuja, and some areas to commemorate the 2024 International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) with the theme: “Unveiling Challenges.”
Annually marked on Feb. 15 around the world, ICCD is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors, and their families.
A Pediatrician with the National Hospital Abuja (NHA), Dr Oyesakin Adewumi said over 50 percent of the causes of cancer are genetic, while others are due to exposure to smoke, diet, and poisonous substances, among others.
Adewumi, therefore, stressed the need for regular medical checkups, early diagnosis, and treatment to improve the chances of survival for children with cancer and other ailments.
The pediatrician said “The role of early detection cannot be overemphasised, as it enables quick implementation of the right line of treatment; and with that, the survival rate is higher.
“We have children whose cases were detected early and are being cured and are doing so well now.
“The common signs and symptoms are persistent fever, recurrent infection, and a child looking white or pale, bleeding from time to time. When you see recurrent infection, take the child to the hospital.”
One of the foundation’s Volunteer, Peace Udokamma said “the sensitisation walk is to create awareness, so that parents can take any health challenge complaint from their children seriously and seek medical attention.
“Cancer is not juju or village people, it is a disease that needs immediate medical intervention, if not, it will progress aggressively, complicating the health challenge and may lead to death.
“But if medically diagnosed early and treatment given, the child has high chances of survival.”
On her part, a member of the foundation, Dr Idorenyin Usoh said poor level of awareness of childhood cancer, especially among low-income earners, uneducated, and people at the community level, prompted the group to embark on the walk.
She said misconceptions and myths surrounding childhood cancer had affected access to treatment and increased mortality caused by cancer disease.
She added that “cancer is very aggressive; it attacks the body and needs urgent medical intervention.
“Government and other stakeholders need to keep creating awareness and include treatment under the health insurance scheme to
enable children to have access to healthcare, especially those from poor and vulnerable families.”
She also called for support to people with cancer or organisations that render support to them, saying “the support will reduce pressure off the parents of such children.”
Usoh said that the foundation was established in memory of her nephew, Akanimo, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 at 10 years old but lived longer due to awareness and access to early diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare services.
A Trader at Wuse market, Abuja, Mrs. Joy Moses, said the sensitisation has improved her knowledge of cancer and the need for prompt medical intervention for any ailments.
She said “I used to think that children do not suffer from cancer; and that consistent sickness is due to either spiritual or village people.
“But with what I have learnt today, I will always seek medical attention anytime my children fall ill, rather than resort to herbs.”
Data from the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer shows more than 1,000 children are diagnosed with cancer daily.
It added that with medical advances, however, more than 80 percent of children diagnosed with cancer survive in high-income countries, with only 20 percent of children in some low and middle-income countries survive.
By Justina Auta
