By supporting childhood cancer research, individuals can play a crucial role in saving young lives and ensuring a brighter future for children battling cancer in South Africa.
South Africa (04 September 2024) – Associate Professor Marc Hendricks, a leading Paediatric Oncologist, is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative to revolutionise childhood cancer treatment in South Africa.
As the driving force behind the South African Association of Paediatric Haematology Oncology’s (SAAPHO) new research platform, SEARCH, Hendricks recognises the urgent need for centralised research efforts to enhance care for young patients.
By streamlining research activities across the country, doctors can focus on providing personalised care while simultaneously addressing critical questions related to childhood cancer in Africa.
“In South Africa historically, children have enjoyed similar outcomes to their counterparts in higher-income countries using treatment regimens developed there.
“A recent study conducted by UCT has shown that children from lower-income households have a significantly poorer cancer outcome, fairing almost half as well as those from higher income households. Revealing that socio-economic status still plays a major role in childhood cancer survival,” Hendricks explains.
The oncologist also shared details of key childhood cancer research done in South Africa over the last 10 years, including how a University of Pretoria study found that when children were presented with cancer, 15% of them were shorter for age than they should have been and that this negatively impacted their survival.
“In addition, a quarter of the patients presented signs of acute to moderate signs of malnutrition. Once they were put on a cancer specific nutrition programme, their nutritional status improved.”
A national study by Wits University showed that children with Hodgkin Lymphoma showed that historically, children enjoyed almost 80% survival at five years but that being HIV positive put children at risk for a poor outcome.
“However, after the implementation of a new national treatment guideline in 2012, survival improved to between 91-100%. And survival for HIV positive children was almost the same as their HIV-negative counterparts with good coordinated care.”
Another UCT study showed that survival in children with cancer of the ovaries and testes called germ cell tumours improved in children in stages 1,2,3 of the disease after they were enrolled on to the national treatment guideline, which standardised care for children across the country.
“This meant that all doctors were following the same surgical guidelines and were offering the same chemotherapy,” revealed Hendricks.
These were just some of the findings conducted by South African universities and organisations showing insights into childhood cancer treatments.
According to Hendricks, paediatric oncology research is gaining momentum in SA as medical professionals and researchers endeavour to improve cancer outcomes for our children in the future.
However, these key players cannot continue to do this critical work without growing their research capabilities.
“Without staffing and capacitating the SEARCH platform. We hope that you can assist us in doing this necessary work. To be part of this exciting and lifesaving new venture, please donate generously. Money spent today will save lives tomorrow,” Hendricks motivates.
Donations can be made to the banking details below:
The Children’s Hospital Trust
Account: 071443126
Type: Business Current Account
Branch: Rondebosch
Branch Code: 025009
Sources: South African Association of Paediatric Haematology Oncology
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