International Children's Cancer Day: Survival has increased dramatically in Argentina

The International Children's Cancer Day, instituted in 2001 by the International Organization of Parents of Children with Cancer, is commemorated every February 15 and aims to raise awareness of the importance of this community. problem and the need to access it. rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the term childhood cancer is generally used to refer to different types of cancer that may appear in children before their 15th birthday.

The truth is that childhood cancer survival has increased dramatically in recent years. According to the data of the onco-pediatric registry of the Argentine Hospital (ROHA), developed by the National Cancer Institute (INC), between 2000 and 2004, the average survival at 3 years in children of 0 to 15 years was 63.1%, while between 2010 and 2014, it rose to 72.4%, which implies an improvement of 14.7%. The announcement that was shared by experts from the Argentina Society of Pediatrics and INC as part of the International Childhood Cancer Day, emphasized that detection, The early therapeutic approach and improved clinical support of children are the fundamental pillars they help to increase the chances of recovery.

"ROHA, which began to be developed in 2000, is an essential tool to know the number of new cases of cancer in children in Argentina, it allows us to know what kind of tumors develop in our country, where they are treated and how they evolve over time, more than 90% of expected cases are recorded, "he explained. Florencia Moreno, Medical Hemato-Oncologist, Director of ROHA.

Some of the data known from research refers to the incidence of these diseases in the population: they occur every year around 1,370 cases of children aged 0 to 15 years old, which involves more than 3 new diagnoses on average per day. In terms of places of care, more than 80% of registered cases are treated in public hospitals and 4 out of 10 children (44%) at some point in their treatment need to be transferred to more complex centers. This information allows us to know more about the approach of cancer in children in Argentina and to be able to guide, for example, public policies, with a precise knowledge of the current situation.

"While the announcement of a diagnosis of this disease in a family member can have a significant emotional impact, it is important to remember that with a timely diagnosis and correct treatment, the Infant cancer is often cured, as indicated by the data relieved by the registry, "he said Viviana BacciedoniSecretary of the National Committee of Hematology-Oncology and Transfusion Medicine of the Argentine Pediatric Society (SAP).

The most common types of cancer in children are leukemias, brain tumors and solid tumors. Usually, compared to adults, they have greater tolerance to aggressive treatments and better recovery capacity.

"Prevention is generally not critical in the case of pediatric age, as the time for exposure to risk factors for children is limited, but there are two factors to consider: the hereditary burden of a disease, this should be discussed with the specialist and corresponds to unusual and very specific situations, and with regard to solar radiation should take the necessary precautions, because it is proved that melanoma is badociated as an adult, "said Moreno, who is also coordinator of the National Pediatric Cancer Program of INC and a member of the Argentine Pediatric Society.

With regard to early detection, specialists insist that any unusual symptoms, parents or caregivers, consult the pediatrician, who must be vigilant and know the characteristics of these pathologies to detect them in time.

Family illness & # 39;

"We consider pediatric cancer to be a family disease: the treatment should cover all members, parents are often shocked, uncertain, denial, guilty and anxious.The brothers, however, may be afraid, worried and uncomfortable. guilt, but also – sometimes – jealousy, because their parents are very attached to the sick child.This can lead to the brother's schooling troubles, nightmares and enuresis (piss involuntarily) Therefore, a therapeutic accompaniment is recommended to all the family ", underlined the doctor Bacciedoni.

In the framework of the rights of the child established by the international conventions and the Argentine legislation, some should be particularly taken into account in the context of the treatment of an oncological disease:

-Right to rest, enjoy and play. In all units of pediatric oncology in Argentina, there must be a library or library.

-Right to go home. As long as the treatment allows, they should be able to enjoy their home, family and friends.

-Right to education. They must continue their studies with home or hospital teachers in all pediatric oncology units in the country.

– Right to know what's happening to them. One should tell them every procedure that will be done in advance so that they can prepare themselves emotionally. Before, it was thought that they should not receive information; now, we know that they must know by the age of 5, because the lack of information can be a source of anxiety and fear.

-Right to relief of pain. For this, there is an opioid plan that ensures that they do not suffer pain at any time during their treatment.

-Right to decision making. Although parents and physicians make decisions on a large scale, children have the opportunity to choose daily problems as far as the flexibility of treatment allows, such as the choice of arm in which they take it. blood, be in a shared room, or arrange therapies to go home.

Advances in pediatric diagnosis and treatment have improved the survival of children with oncology diseases. The Institute of Oncology at the German Hospital and the María Cecilia Foundation for Childhood Oncology celebrated this event. as part of International Childhood Cancer Day, Friday, February 15 at 11 am