Our Future in the Hands of Malignant Tumors

It is estimated that each year, around 400.000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer. Therefore, every February 15, the global childhood cancer community celebrates International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD). It is held to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors, and their families.

So, what is cancer, exactly? Cancer is an uncontrollable growth that can divide and spread throughout the body. Then, how does it differ with tumors? As we know, tumors can be classified into benign or malignant ones. Cancers are malignant counterparts of tumors. A benign tumor can be easily removed and usually won’t spread. While malignant or cancerous ones can usually grow back and spread to other tissues. At the very least, both are two sides of the same coin.

In the year 2020, there were 279.419 cases of cancer in children and adolescents in the world. These cases spread throughout different countries and continents. With a mortality rate of about 39%.

In a few respects, childhood cancer differs from adult cancer. Only a few children’s cancers are caused by intrinsic genes from their parents, and none are caused by lifestyle or environmental risk factors. The main reason of cancer development in children is the gene mutation that leads to uncontrollable cell growth. . However, unlike in adult cancer cases, identifying the potential environmental exposure that causes this mutation in child cancer could be difficult and less noticeable. As a result, the cancers that form in children and adults are distinct. Childhood cancer treatments are often more successful than adult cancer treatments since they don’t have many health concerns. Furthermore, the treatment is frequently more intensive. Despite this, the treatment’s long-term effects become a concern for their developing bodies. 

When dealing with childhood cancer, the most common issue is treatment. Delay in diagnosis, difficulty to obtain an accurate diagnosis, inaccessible therapy, treatment abandonment, death from toxicity (side effects), and avoidable relapse are all examples. 

Outside of medicine, there are a few aspects that impact patients with child and adult cancer. Children with cancer usually have a negative self-appearance that is associated with academic, social, and psychological. The child’s education may be harmed academically as a result of his or her absence from school. Due to their lack of peers, individuals may face social frustration and peer relationship challenges. They may endure significant anxiety and (PTSD) as a result of the ordeal. Furthermore, due to the treatment’s cost, the treatment itself may generate financial difficulties.

To solve all problems, WHO has released the technical package, CureAll. It guides countries in implementing global initiatives. The result is a stronger medical system and better childcare. CureAll is an acronym used to identify the four main pillars of the global initiative and the three enablers. The four main pillars include the Center of Excellence and Care Network, Universal Insurance, Management Planning, and Assessment and Monitoring. The three enablers include advocacy, leveraged finance, and linked governance.

Current treatments for child cancer vary, depending on the type of cancer and how advanced it is. The most common ones used are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplant. Targeted therapy drugs and immunotherapy are the most prevalent. Though surgery is the most effective and primary treatment, the others also help to remove cancer through different methods.

There are many things we can do to help fight childhood cancer, and we can start with the simplest ones. Start by learning about cancer itself and get a complete understanding of it. Tell a story and spread the word about childhood cancer. Then join a volunteer program and create events and campaigns to help raise funds, educate, and build a supportive community. Or maybe, just support them in our own words. As for my own last statement, to the patients and the survivors, always remember that it all depends on you, you may not be the one who started the cancer, but you will be the one who will or have finish(ed) it.

Referensi

• Apa.org. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/childhood-cancer-fact-sheet.pdf> [Accessed 8 February 2022].
• Cancer.org. 2022. Treating Children with Cancer. [online] Available at: <https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-in-children/how-are-childhood-cancers-treated.html> [Accessed 8 February 2022].
• Cancer.org. 2022. What Are the Differences Between Cancers in Adults and Children?. [online] Available at: <https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-in-children/differences-adults-children.html> [Accessed 8 February 2022].
• Gco.iarc.fr. 2022. Cancer today. [online] Available at: <https://gco.iarc.fr/today/online-analysis-piev=2020&mode=population&mode_population=continents&population=900&populations=900&key=total&sex=0&cancer=39&type=0&statistic=5&prevalence=0&population_group=0&ages_group%5B%5D=0&ages_group%5B%5D=3&nb_items=7&group_cancer=1&include_nmsc=1&include_nmsc_other=1&half_pie=0&donut=0https://gco.iarc.fr/today/online-analysis-piev=2020&mode=population&mode_population=continents&population=900&populations=900&key=total&sex=0&cancer=39&type=0&statistic=5&prevalence=0&population_group=0&ages_group%5B%5D=0&ages_group%5B%5D=3&nb_items=7&group_cancer=1&include_nmsc=1&include_nmsc_other=1&half_pie=0&donut=0> [Accessed 8 February 2022].
• National Cancer Institute. 2022. Childhood Cancers. [online] Available at: <https://www.cancer.gov/types/childhood-cancers#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20types%20of,immunotherapy%2C%20and%20stem%20cell%20transplant.> [Accessed 8 February 2022].
• National Cancer Institute (2015). Childhood Cancers – National Cancer Institute. [online] www.cancer.gov. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/childhood-cancers#:~:text=About%205%20percent%20of%20all [Accessed 14 Feb. 2022].
• Who.int. 2022. Childhood cancer. [online] Available at: <https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer-in-children> [Accessed 8 February 2022].
• Who.int. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/documents/health-topics/cancer/who-childhood-cancer-overview-booklet.pdf> [Accessed 8 February 2022].
• Winchesterhospital.org. 2022. How Childhood Cancers Differ From Adult Cancers | Winchester Hospital. [online] Available at: <https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=30409#:~:text=Childhood%20cancers%20tend%20to%20occur,breast%2C%20prostate%2C%20and%20pancreas.> [Accessed 8 February 2022].