Press statment for International Childhood Cancer Day - 15 February 2010

The International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organisations (ICCCPO), World Child Cancer and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) have issued a joint statement to coincide with International Childhood Cancer Day (15 February) highlighting the fact that these organizations are joining forces in the fight against a lack of awareness of childhood cancer.

Although cancer in children is a small fraction of the global cancer burden most of them can be cured if prompt and essential treatment is available, approximately 80% of the deaths will occur in resource-constrained settings as appropriate treatment is not available or affordable.

While there have been great advances made in the treatment of childhood cancer and subsequent improvements in survival rates, it is unfortunate that this has not reached the majority of children diagnosed with cancer annually.

“To improve upon this situation, ICCCPO, World Child Cancer and UICC are developing international medical partnerships to improve diagnosis and treatment. Through the sharing of vital expertise and skills and the utilisation of valuable support from doctors in resource-rich countries, these combined efforts are already saving lives and reducing suffering.” says Julie Torode, deputy CEO, UICC.

In the developed world children on average have a 75% chance of surviving cancer, however the situation in low- and middle-income countries, which accounts for 80% of the global incidence of childhood cancer, is very different, with only 20% of those that do receive treatment surviving as appropriate treatment is not available or affordable.

“The majority of children in the world who suffer from childhood cancer will die undiagnosed. This is largely due to the lack of awareness that some cancers are curable, poor access to information, late or no detection and lack of effective treatment”, says Benson Pau chairperson of ICCCPO.

“This year ICCCPO, UICC through the “My Child Matters” initiative and World Child Cancer will be supporting more than 40 projects in resource-constrained countries that will concentrate on the training of medical staff, the provision of infrastructure and the support of the ill child and their family,” says Gordon Morrison, chair of World Child Cancer.

On 15th  February this year, organisations from across the globe will be participating in International Childhood Cancer Day, to raise awareness of the plight of children living with cancer and the imbalances that exist between the quality of care provided to children with cancer in the developed world as compared to the developing world.

“It is one of the saddest experiences to witness children and their parents in under-resourced wards unable and unmotivated to fight the battle any longer, just waiting in despair for the inevitable to happen, knowing that with funding from those able to help the outcome could be so different.” says a volunteer helping in a children’s cancer ward.

Should you wish to help contact can be made with the organisations as follows:
ICCCPO  -  www.icccpo.org
World Child Cancer – www.worldchildcancer.org