SOUTH AFRICA has the lowest survival rates when it comes to
childhood cancers.
Each year, more than 300 000 aged between 19 years are diagnosed with cancer around the world.
Approximately eight in 10 of these children live in low and middle income countries.
“In South Africa, we should be diagnosing around 2 500 children per year but unfortunately we are only diagnosing approximately 1 500, of the less than half who are actually detected and diagnosed, this survival rate is as low as 55%” CEO of (ChOC) Childhood Cancer Foundation Carl Queiros said.
Therefore Mzansi has the lowest children cancer survival rates.
“We are committed working with international partners, including the WHO, Childhood Cancer International (CCI), towards the global goal of reducing childhood cancer mortality and the elimination of cancer-related pain and suffering” Said Carl
Last year September, at the United Nations General Assembly, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced its new global initiative to address the disparity between childhood cancer survivals in low-middle versus high-income countries.
Carl encouraged the citizens of Mzansi to stand united to make childhood cancer a national and global child health priority in support of the Global Childhood Cancer Target Goals.
“As we celebrate our 40 years of existence this year, we want to continue growing our impact as an organisation and we continue to rely heavily on individual and corporate support and participation”
