General information about childhood cancer around the world

 

- 250.000 kids around the world are diagnosed with cancer each year.

 

- Most of the kids in developing countries do not have access to the basic needs.

 

- 80% of the kids with childhood cancer in the world are not diagnosed at all and thus, do not receive the appropriate treatment for their disease. There are huge inequalities between developed and third world countries.

 

-  Even if a certain percentage of diagnosed kids do have access to treatment, the need for rehabilitation and long-term support is not usually recognised or applied.

 

- Over 100.000 deaths on an annual basis caused by childhood cancer could be prevented and even avoided if all kids in the world had the same possibilities of accessing diagnosis and treatment in time.

 

- All of the long term survivors of childhood cancer need support (both emotionally and psychologically) after completing the treatment in order to be successfully reintroduced and integrated into society without suffering any type of discrimination. This includes their chances to access normal education, employment, health insurance and assistance with the possible long-term effects of the treatment received.

 

- All of the families need support, even after completion of the medical treatment for the disease. They also need guidance on how to continue with a normal social life.

 

- The relationships and bonds between siblings are among the strongest a person can develop in life. Childhood cancer may have a devastating impact on these relationships. This is why it is so important that parents do not neglect the needs of siblings of the ill child.

 

- In order to cover all of these issues, there is a need for interdisciplinary work which includes the support of the Government, International Organizations and the collaboration of the community as a whole.