Improving outcomes in paediatric cancers

It has been estimated that by 2040, the cancer burden is going to increase to 30,200,000 worldwide. In Asia, it has been predicted that the number of new cases in both sexes will see a jump of nearly 59% by 2040 against 9,503,710 recorded in 2022.

Nearly, one in six deaths is caused due to cancer. The most common ones are breast, lung, colon, prostate and rectum cancer.

Studies reveal that the rise in childhood cancers has also become a matter of concern, accounting for 11.5 million (10.6–12.3 95% CI) of the Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs'). They rank ninth as a leading cause of childhood diseases globally,, and as many as 80% of children at risk of childhood cancer reside in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

According to a recent National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) report in India, childhood cancers in the 0–14 age group accounted for 4.0% of all cancers.

The lack of comprehensive data related to childhood cancer cases and the availability of limited treatment services existing predominantly in big cities pose a delay in treating and complicating the case further. India is at a real risk of being left behind due to insufficient penetration of cutting-edge treatment to tier II and tier III cities.

Recent advances in the management of paediatric cancers have significantly improved outcomes. Long-term survivals in paediatric cancers are as high as 80-90 percent as per select data from the US and Europe. In India however, the rate of cure among children is only about 40%-50%.

The healthcare policy of India is more inclined toward communicable diseases, malnutrition and reproductive health. If we want to further lower the mortality rate of paediatric cancer, our health policy should be universal  health coverage with an integration of childhood cancer management. This will help in increasing better allocation of resources for the overall growth, survival and quality of life of the children.

Improving outcomes

It is worth mentioning that most childhood cancers can be cured with early diagnosis and treatment by administering generic medicines and other forms of treatment, including surgery and radiotherapy.  A prompt, precise, and correct treatment, and an evidence-based therapy together with properly thought-through supportive care, can help reduce the burden of paediatric cancer.  

When identified early, cancer is more likely to respond to effective treatment and result in a greater probability of survival, less suffering, and often less expensive and less intensive treatment. Significant improvements can be made in the lives of children by detecting the disease early and winning over cancer.

However, raising awareness and providing the necessary support system and changes in government policy are the need of the hour. Myths about cancer in children – such as “Is cancer contagious? Cancers in children are inherited from parents? Is the curability of childhood cancers very low?” – among common people have also posed as a hindrance in early diagnosis.    

Apollo Cancer Centres  in collaboration with India Post recently launched a campaign titled, ‘Stamp out Childhood Cancer’, with an intent to spread hope and stories of cancer warriors, and that it reaches to every part of the country. Campaigns such as these will also help to debunk the myths about paediatric cancer.

According to the World Health Organization, initiatives are being taken to increase the rate of cure among paediatric cancer patients to 60% by 2030.  But to achieve this target and for continuous improvements in the quality of cancer care and management, we need to upscale our research to identify factors affecting cancer development in children and put the population-based data systems in place.

Furthermore, strengthening the existing childhood component of the hospital-based cancer registries (HBCRs) can augment data capture that will help to make the necessary changes and improve the existing standards of treatments.