CAN spotlights urgent need for childhood cancer awareness

Windhoek: Approximately five to six families in Namibia receive a diagnosis of childhood cancer every week , Cancer Association of Namibia ( CAN ) Chief Executive Officer Rolf Hansen has said . In Namibia , the most common childhood cancers include soft tissue sarcomas , as well as cancers of the eye , brain , and blood , Hansen said in an interview with Nampa on Wednesday on the observation of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September . He explained that , unlike adult cancers , childhood cancers typically cannot be prevented or detected through standard screening methods . “ Cancer occurs in people of all ages and can affect any part of the body . It begins with genetic change in single cells that then grows into a mass ( or tumour ) that invades other parts of the body and causes harm and death if left untreated . Unlike cancer in adults , the vast majority of childhood cancers do not have a known cause ,” he said . Hansen noted that efforts to prevent cancer in children focus primarily on reducing fut ure risks of cancer in adulthood . Chronic infections such as HIV , Epstein - Barr virus , and malaria are known risk factors for childhood cancer and are particularly relevant in lower and middle - income countries . Vaccinations and early treatment of these infections can reduce the risk of cancer . Genetic factors contribute to approximately 10 per cent of childhood cancer cases , he said . “ In lower and middle - income countries , avoidable deaths from childhood cancer often result from issues such as lack of diagnosis , misdiagnosis , delays in treatment , and obstacles in accessing care . Additionally , abandonment of treatment , toxicity , and relapse contribute to the high mortality rate ,” Hansen stated . He urged Namibians to support the efforts of CAN this September through the CHICA ( Children fighting cancer ) Programme , and the Paediatric Oncology Ward of the Ministry of Health and Social Services at the Windhoek Central Hospital. Source: The Namibia News Agency