Tag: CHILDHOOD CANCER

Zim launches Pediatric Cancer Treatment Guidelines

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe launched its Childhood Cancer Treatment Guidelines on Friday, strengthening the country’s efforts to combat childhood cancers through early diagnosis and improved treatment. The launch, which coincided with International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) commemorations at Kidzcan’s Rainbow Village, comes at a time when children with cancer in Zimbabwe have only a 20 percent survival rate—well below the World Health Organization (WHO) 2030 target of 60 percent. Officiating at the event, Mr. Lee Nkala, Acting Director for the Non-Communicable Diseases Department, spoke on behalf of the Health and…

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Don’t Ignore the Childhood Cancer Red Flags: Listen To Your Child

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month where the childhood cancer community comes together to show their support for the children, young people, and families who have been affected by childhood cancer. In Zimbabwe, Childhood cancers continue to affect children and according to the Zimbabwe Cancer Registry, common childhood cancers in the country include Acute Leukaemia also known as Blood cancer, CNS tumours or brain and spinal cord tumors, Wilm’s Tumor which affects the kidneys also known as nephroblastoma. There is also Retinoblastoma or cancer of the eye…

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The Nexus between Childhood Cancer and the Environment

Michael Gwarisa

AS the month of February draws to an end, it’s highly likely that the hype and noise around childhood cancer will die down as the world shifts focus towards other health issues on the calendar of events. Under normal circumstances, this should not be the case and we probably need to dedicate 365 days of each year God grants us to raise awareness and talk about childhood or pediatric cancers. By Michael Gwarisa It is thus imperative to remind each other that childhood cancer is real and if not detected…

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Childhood Cancers Stalk Zimbabwe As 67 Children Die in 12 Months

Michael Gwarisa

EVEN though survival rate for childhood cancers in developing countries is hovering above 80%, chances of children surviving following a cancer diagnosis in Zimbabwe remain below 20% due to a myriad of factors ranging from late presentation of cases and failure to access quality care and treatment on time. By Michael Gwarisa Some of the childhood cancers affecting children the most in Zimbabwe include Leukemia, Neuroblastoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Retinoblastoma among others. Due to existing gaps to accessing care, survival chances for children remain depressed. Speaking at the World Cancer Day commemorations…

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KidzCan Honors Childhood Cancer Survivors

Healthtimes

KIDZCAN, a local organization which deals with childhood cancer cases in Zimbabwe has applaud childhood cancer survivors for their resilience in fighting cancer. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during the launch Orange Week which marks celebrations for children living with cancer, Kidzcan Executive Director, Daniel Mckenzie said Kidzcan had over the years exhibited resilience in supporting children living with cancer. “As we stand in solidarity with international childhood cancer day, we acknowledge that childhood cancer in Zimbabwe as in the rest of low medium countries claims more lives. Statistics have shown…

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