Toward 2030: SIOP Africa adopts the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer

Kambugu, Joyce; Davidson, Alan; Hessissen, Laïla; Afungchwi, Glenn Mbah; Parkes, Jeannette; Heerden, Jaques van; Geel, Jennifer

doi:10.1080/08880018.2022.2117883

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 6 publications

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“…Nowadays, the disease has become highly curable in high‐income countries (HIC) 2 . Recent achievements in pediatric oncology care in low and middle‐income countries (LMIC) have also contributed to more promising survival rates and are slowly but surely proving the “deadly stigma” wrong 3,4 . As a result, the number of childhood cancer survivors returning to society is also expected to increase in LMIC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A caregivers' perspective on social reintegration and stigma of childhood cancer survivors in Kenya

Lemmen,

Mageto,

Njuguna

et al. 2024

Psycho-Oncology

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ObjectivesChildhood cancer survivors' social reintegration may be hampered in low and middle‐income countries. The nature and extent of social challenges and prejudices that survivors encounter in such settings are largely unknown. This study explores caregivers' perspectives on social reintegration and stigmatization of Kenyan childhood cancer survivors.MethodsCaretakers of childhood cancer survivors (<18 years) were interviewed using mixed‐methods questionnaires during home or clinic visits between 2021 and 2022. Stigma was assessed with an adjusted Social Impact Scale and risk factors were investigated.ResultsCaretakers of 54 survivors (median age 11 years) were interviewed. Families' income (93%) decreased since start of treatment. Caretakers (44%) often lost their jobs. Financial struggles (88%) were a burden that provoked conflicts within communities (31%). School fees for siblings became unaffordable (52%). Families received negative responses (26%) and were left or avoided (13%) by community members after cancer disclosure. Survivors and families were discriminated against because the child was perceived fragile, and cancer was considered fatal, contagious, or witchcraft. Survivors repeated school levels (58%) and were excluded from school activities (19%) or bullied (13%). Performance limitations of daily activities (p = 0.019), male sex (p = 0.032), solid tumors (p = 0.056) and a short time since treatment completion (p = 0.047) were associated with increased stigma. Caretakers recommended educational programs in schools and communities to raise awareness about cancer treatment and curability.ConclusionsChildhood cancer survivors and their families experienced difficulties with re‐entry and stigmatization in society. Increasing cancer and survivorship awareness in schools and communities should facilitate social reintegration and prevent stigmatization.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A caregivers' perspective on social reintegration and stigma of childhood cancer survivors in Kenya

Lemmen,

Mageto,

Njuguna

et al. 2024

Psycho-Oncology

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Childhood cancer surgery in low‐ and middle‐income countries

Pio,

Loh,

Harrison

et al. 2024

Pediatric Blood & Cancer

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This report summarizes the status of pediatric surgical oncology services in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Factors such as surgical capacity and enablers, and barriers to providing pediatric surgical oncology services are discussed. A review of the literature was conducted to examine the evidence for the capacity of low‐ and middle‐income countries to provide childhood cancer surgery services, focusing on general surgery. Unpublished, ongoing work and initiatives of international organizations are also described.

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