About 1000 of the estimated 400 000 new childhood cancer cases diagnosed worldwide each year occur in South Africa with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that leukaemia is the most common here, according to the National Cancer Registry.
Gold September, or Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, is an internationally recognised month dedicated to raising awareness about childhood cancer with the gold ribbon symbolising the strength, courage, and resilience of children impacted by cancer.
The aim of Gold September is to increase public awareness, provide research support and advocate for improved treatment and care for children battling cancer, according to national Department of Health spokesman Foster Mohale.
It was essential to unite to amplify early detection, treatment, and support for affected families, he said.
Evette Claasen, from Aberdeen, in the Eastern Cape, knows the cancer journey all too well. Her daughter, Shashi-Lee, 9, was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia (a condition that affects the bone marrow and reduces the number of blood cells it makes, which can lead to leukaemia) last year.
Shashi-Lee’s early warning signs included uncontrollable nose bleeds. While at hospital, doctors tested her bone marrow and diagnosed her with the condition. She needed a stem cell donation. Her brother was a 100% sibling match and donated stem cells twice, with the second time being in June this year. The family have been under the care of the Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa (CHOC), and Shashi-Lee has been getting treatment at the Red Cross War Memorial Hospital.
Her health was now improving and her appetite had returned, said her mom.
“Going through this journey with Shashi-Lee, I could see she was very sick, tired of drips that the medical professionals put up. Seeing what she went through was a sad and very emotional feeling. There are days I could not help but to cry with her. It was very draining for a few months, emotional and stressful as well. She is doing quite well, still going to check-ups, and so far, everything is good… She plays, eats and is more happy and joyful being a child,” said Ms Claasen.
Liam Visser, 5, from Bellville South had an unremitting fever, pallor, loss of appetite and weight loss and after the tests he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in March 2022.
“Liam was taken to the private doctor twice, but the antibiotics he prescribed didn’t help him. The doctor also couldn’t tell us what was wrong with Liam. Then we took him to the dentist because his teeth and mouth were affected. They recommended we take him to Tygerberg Hospital’s paediatricians. I wanted to faint when the doctor told me that she wanted to make sure what type of cancer Liam had,” said his mother, Desiree Visser.
To save Liam’s life, Tygerberg Hospital paediatric oncologist Dr Anel van Zyl and her team needed to intensify his treatment.
“He was prepared for a stem cell transplant (previously known as a bone marrow transplant).
“While receiving chemotherapy, Liam suffered a serious bacterial infection due to his suppressed immune system and needed surgery and a colostomy bag. Eventually, after intensive supportive care, he fully recovered from this infection,” said Dr Van Zyl.
Chemotherapy then continued, and the stem cell transplant was done at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in April last year. Liam’s sister, Payton, was his donor, and Liam recovered very well after the transplant, according to Tygerberg Hospital spokesperson Laticia Pienaar.
Liam’s mother has expressed gratitude to all health-care workers at Tygerberg Hospital and Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital who saved her son’s life.
Early detection of cancer and benign blood disorders in children is critical as it leads to diagnosis at an early stage and less intensive therapy, said Ms Pienaar, adding that last year, the hospital’s paediatric oncology unit had seen more than 1 000 inpatients and 2 307 outpatients with childhood cancer.
The WHO’s Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer aims to elevate the global overall survival rate to 60% by 2030.
Mr Mohale said a lack of money and community support and lengthy travel to hospitals were some of the hardships faced by families of children with cancer, and they aggravated the emotional and physical toll of the disease.
“One of the significant challenges facing the medical community and those who support their heroic efforts to treat patients is the delayed presentation of children at primary health care centres and paediatric oncology units in tertiary hospitals across the country. To improve early diagnosis, we urge all South Africans to recognise that children do get cancer,” he said.
According to the CEO of CHOC, Hedley Lewis, it’s vital for the public to know childhood cancer’s early warning signs.
“Additionally, it is important to empower the public with information to promptly report any instances where they suspect a patient may be exhibiting symptoms indicative of childhood cancer”, he said.
The SILUAN early warning signs for childhood cancer include:
S – seek medical help early for ongoing symptoms.
I – white spot in the eye, new squint, sudden blindness or bulging eyeball.
L – lump on the stomach, pelvis, head, arms, legs, testicle or glands.
U – unexplained fever present for over two weeks, weight loss, fatigue, pale appearance, easy bruising and bleeding.
A – aching bones, joints, back and easy fractures.
N – neurological signs, a change in walk, balance or speech, regression, continuous headaches with / without vomiting and enlarged head.
Visit choc.org.za for more information or call the Tygerberg Hospital’s Paediatric Oncology Unit at 021 938 4564/4565.
