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By Daniel Tumwine

HEALTH

February 4 was World Cancer Day. At the mention of cancer, most people think of those that affect adults. Though more common in adults, children too get cancer and can be just as devastating to both child and parents.

The good news though is that a majority of childhood cancers can be successfully treated, even in Uganda, especially if caught early.

Recently, a parent came to our facility concerned about a child who was not growing as quickly as her twin brother. Among the requests made was to see a recent photo of the twin brother since the parent had not travelled with the sibling. The photo, taken in subtle light, and with the aid of a camera’s flash, revealed a white left pupil. Concerned, we requested the parent to bring the sibling for an eye examination. This, and subsequent examinations, unearthed a fairly common childhood cancer of the eye called retinoblastoma. The child was referred to the Uganda Cancer Institute and made a good recovery.

The example above illustrates the fact that many parents are unaware of the signs of cancer in children and only get diagnosed early by chance. In this case, the parents had noticed the white pupil but had never thought it could lead to a sinister diagnosis.

An estimated 3,000 Ugandan children develop cancer every year, but only around 700 of these get diagnosed and treated. With many showing up for treatment late, only about 30% of these get cured.

In comparison, in developed countries, more than 80% of all children with cancer survive. It is important, therefore, that parents and other guardians are familiar with a few common signs that may require further investigations.

Other than retinoblastoma which typically presents with a white pupil, a common cancer like Burkitt’s Lymphoma. It is a cancer that affects a certain branch of white blood cells and typically presents with a swollen jaw that can easily be confused with mumps in the early state.

Some cancers, such as Wilms Tumour are usually discovered accidentally by the mother while bathing the child. There is usually a painless mass in the stomach area in 80% of children.

Some of the commonest cancers in children usually affect the blood. And because the blood carries oxygen, fights infection and stops bleeding, most children will experience frequent and easy exhaustion, repeated infections or persistent skin bruising or bleeding.

Most children, irrespective of the type of cancer, typically lose weight and have frequent fevers that are accompanied by drenching sweating at night.

You may note that many of cancer symptoms tend to mimic other conditions. It is, therefore, important that you work with your doctor to institute diagnostic steps to rule out more common conditions such as malaria, mumps or blood changes due to nutrition or infection. Showing up at the Uganda Cancer Institute because you suspect your child may have cancer may prove frustrating and counterproductive as they mostly expect a doctor to refer to them patients after they have done preliminary tests. Working with your doctor may be the best route to catching and treating childhood cancers early.

The writer is team lead paediatrician at The Children’s Clinic Naalya