Launching of Childhood Cancer Awareness month

World Child Cancer in collaboration with Paediatric Oncology Units of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi including other childhood cancer treatment satellite centers; and Childhood Cancer Parent’s Support groups are organizing public forum at Civil Servants Conference Hall in Accra, to launch Childhood Cancer Awareness Month on September 8, 2015 at 10:00am.

The aim is to help educate the general public about the early warning signs of childhood cancer in Ghana to better treatment outcome, and advocate for improved access to treatment.

The awareness month is part of implementation of UK Government funded health care programme to develop a network of paediatric oncology units across the country.

In attendance will be the minister of health and representative from World Health Organization, National Health Insurance Scheme and Paediatric Oncology Experts and Parent Support group to discuss childhood cancer treatment in Ghana.

Ahead of the Launch, a Musical concert and fundraising dubbed Hope Alive Concert, held at Georgia Hotel in Kumasi.

The Paediatric Oncology unit of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Ghana Parents Association of Childhood Cancers in Kumasi did a great job organizing such an amazing event attended by about 800 participants who were treated with angelic and melodious tunes from the Celestial Evangel Choir. Indeed, hope was kindled for the children suffering from cancers, as attendees donated generously to support childhood cancer treatment.

Other activities in observance of the awareness month will include Talks about childhood cancers at selected churches, Radio and TV talk shows, seminars targeting public health students and healthcare professional with progression tagged “Gold Walk in support of Children with cancer” to crown the month long celebration.

All parents, guardians and health care professionals are urged to pay attention to early warning signs and symptoms of cancer in children. Usually the signs and symptoms mimic other health conditions; the difference is that, in spite of continued medication the condition will persist.

Paediatric Oncology experts advise “it is important children have regular medical checkups and parents address any unusual symptoms that persist over two weeks.”

Childhood Cancers can be treated by a combination of therapies (surgery, radiation and chemotherapy) chosen based on the type and stage of cancer. Some of the common childhood cancers in Ghana include but not limited to; Burkitt’s lymphomas, retinoblastoma, leukemia, Non-Hodgkin, and rhabdomyosarcoma.

Like most cancers the sooner childhood cancers are found and treated, the better the chances of cure.

All people who come into regular contact with children should report to a nearby hospital with the child if they notice any of these potential

cancer-related signs and symptoms:

• Unusual mass or swelling in the abdomen, jaw or any part of the body

• Prolonged, unexplained fever or illness

• Unexplained paleness or loss of energy and/or weight loss

• Frequent headaches, often with vomiting

• Sudden tendency to bruise, and

• White spot in the eye

All health care professionals are entreated to observe these early warning signs and do referral for specialist care at Korle Bu or Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Childhood cancer is curable, early reporting is key. Let’s spread the news about childhood cancers, impressing upon the National Health Insurance Scheme to fund at least the generic drugs for childhood cancers and cause Ghana Health Service to expand access to treatment of childhood cancer cases in Ghana as expressed in the National Strategy for Cancer Control in Ghana (2014 – 2017).

Together we can win the fight against childhood cancer in honour of all the countless number of children we have lost to childhood cancers unknowingly in Ghana and the rest of the developing world. Act now for kids with cancer.