What does Childhood Cancer Diagnosis mean?

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya. It is estimated that 275 children are diagnosed with cancer every month with an average age of a childhood cancer diagnosis between 4 to 6 years old and a survival rate of 19%. This largely can be attributed to late diagnosis and lack of awareness.

Treating childhood cancer with radiation and chemotherapy remains one of the biggest challenges due to its lasting, and debilitating effect on children’s bodies. However, the survival rates for childhood cancer can be improved through early detection, and timely treatment. It is important to know the signs and look out for any unusual symptoms such as easy bleeding, swelling of the abdomen or the jaw, weight loss, fever, night sweats, severe headaches, vomiting, limb swelling, pain or unusual fractures.

The Ministry of Health, Kenya, needs to set up effective ways of dealing with childhood cancer, under the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), as childhood cancer treatment is costly. Most of the patients families have to divert financial resources to cover for their medical expenses leading to poverty. The current NHIF oncology package is not enough to cover all costs. The NHIF needs to review the oncology package for a wholistic benefit to the children in accessing treatment.