Childhood cancer

Not all parents have an equal chance of success at saving their child from a fatal illness. Unfortunately, while fate determines lifespan, so does geography. According to experts, childhood cancer survival rates exceed 80 per cent in wealthy countries but in low- and middle-income countries, such as Pakistan, they drop below 30 per cent. This unsettling reality is underscored by the fact that around 10,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in the country every year. And every year, we are losing children that could have been saved if only they were born in a country with better resources and resource management.

The dismal survival rate in Pakistan is largely due to a delayed recognition of symptoms, lack of quality supportive care, lack of trained specialists, limited access to specialised treatment centres and even high rates of treatment abandonment.

A delay in diagnosis of childhood cancer is attributed to negligence on almost all levels of care. A lack of awareness of symptoms causes the primary delay in bringing a child to a physician. Then there is delay in referring the child to an oncological centre, which is then followed by a delay in the final diagnosis due to limited diagnostic facilities and overburdened hospitals. Throughout the treatment process, families are forced to deal with inexperienced medical professionals and recurring difficulties in accessing much needed medical facilities. Families from remote areas face increased disadvantages as specialised care is often entirely absent in such regions. Moreover, even with access, the mounting costs of advanced treatments, lifesaving drugs and basic primary care provisions make it impossible for most families to avail every possible resource. And at the end of the day, cancer treatment remains a gamble.

It is not a losing battle though. With awareness, comprehensive care and improved medical training, the children can get the future that they truly deserve.