February 15 has been established as World Childhood Cancer Day. A day to honor children battling cancer. The children who have won and those who have lost the battle. A day that aims to raise awareness and information for all of us, for children with neoplastic diseases.
World Childhood Cancer Day was established at the initiative of the International Association of Parents with Children with Cancer (ICCCPO). Each year, about 250,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer. Of these, only 20% have access to proper medical care.
The Panhellenic Medical Association states that childhood and adolescent cancer is not something that a parent or pediatrician can predict. It has no genetic origin, it is not caused by something that happened in the upbringing of the child, it is not transmitted, there is no way to detect any predisposition at the prenatal level.
It is recommended, however, to pay special attention to fevers that persist, without any other symptoms, to the general malaise and anorexia of non-viral children, as well as to the appearance of symptoms that are new and persistent.
World Pediatric Cancer Day - The Importance of Diagnosis Cancer in children and adolescents is very rare and manifests itself in a variety of clinical forms. The earlier it is diagnosed, the higher the cure rates thanks to modern treatments and the development of medical science.
Now, about 70% of children who have access to the required treatment are doing well. It is also characteristic that 8 out of 10 children suffering from leukemia, manage to overcome the disease.
In Greece it is estimated that about 300 children are affected by some form of cancer each year. The Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELLOK) constantly emphasizes the lack of appropriate infrastructure for children suffering from cancer as well as the inability to meet the special needs of young patients. ELLOK seeks to improve the care and nursing of children with cancer.
Childhood cancer in numbersAccording to the International Association of Parents with Children with Cancer (ICCCPO):- Every three minutes a child dies from cancer worldwide
- Every year 250,000 children around the world suffer from various forms of cancer
- Every year in our country, about 300 children are affected by cancer, mainly leukemia
- Every day in Europe 20 children and adolescents die from cancer.
- Every year in Europe 15,000 children and 20,000 teenagers aged 15-24 get sick
- In Europe, it is estimated that 300,000-500,000 adults have been diagnosed with childhood cancer and have been cured.
- 2 out of 3 people who are cured experience long-term side effects due to the heavy treatments that affect their daily lives.
- In fact, the World Health Organization reports that each year, about 250,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, of which only 20% have access to proper medical care. 80% of them come from middle and low income countries.
On the occasion of World Childhood Cancer Day, a moving animated video entitled "Love Never Disappoints Us" was created on behalf of Cancer De Barretos Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, an internationally renowned hospital for the treatment of childhood cancer. This hospital was renamed the Hospital of Love, wanting to highlight the therapeutic importance of love and affection. Fighting cancer is easier when the person is surrounded by love. Seeing that the patient has people around him who love and care for him, he gains strength, hope. Watch the video:
