(Lifestyle) February 15: World Childhood Cancer Day

[Askor lml]

In Costa Rica, 17.6% of all deaths among adolescents and children are due to this cause.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death for children and adolescents. According to PAHO, in Latin America and the Caribbean, it is estimated that at least 29,000 people under the age of 19 will be affected by cancer annually. Of these, about 10,000 will die. In Costa Rica, for example, cancer accounts for 17.6% of all deaths among children and adolescents (1-19 years).

Early detection is essential
This year, with the motto "Achieving the cure of childhood cancer is possible", campaigns are being developed that seek to join collaborative forces to create awareness of the reality and the impact that this disease generates in families, but above all, highlight that when there is a early detection and proper diagnosis, more lives are saved, commented Dr. Danny Rivera Duarte, a doctor at the Fundación Clínicas sin Fronteras.

In the Region of the Americas, it is estimated that in 2020 there were 32,065 new cases of cancer in children aged 0 to 14 years, of which 20,855 occurred in Latin American and Caribbean countries. This was the cause of death for 8,544 children under 15 years of age; of them, 7,076 in Latin America and the Caribbean.

When comparing the statistics with our immediate neighbors, in Costa Rica each year there are 237 new cases, in Panama 167 and in Nicaragua 284. Annually in Costa Rica 52 die from this cause, in Panama 69, while in Nicaragua 152.

The cause of the disease is still unknown, but it is a pathology that attacks children at a very early age. It consists of an abnormal growth of malignant cells that spread inside the body.

"The unfortunate thing about the situation is the unequal conditions of child cancer patients around the world," emphasized Dr. Rivera, because while in countries with higher income around 80% are cured, unfortunately in countries with lower income is only saved about 20%,

warning symptoms
If you notice in the child decay, tiredness, weakness and lack of interest in playing, sweating, some type of bleeding, bruises, weight loss, fever for no apparent reason, changes in vision, paleness, loss of appetite, among others, it should be assessed. promptly by a doctor.

Leukemia: main type of cancer in children

Leukemia is a malignant disease or cancer of the bone marrow and blood. It is the most common cancer in children under 15 years of age.

For example, in Costa Rica the net survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which is the one that most affects children and adolescents, is between 80-89%, while in Panama it is 60-69% and in Nicaragua 40 – 49%.

“According to PAHO figures, the proportion of prioritized cancers in the Costa Rican child po[CENSORED]tion are: 27.7% acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 0.6% Burkitt lymphoma, 2.6% Hodgkin lymphoma, 3 .9% retinoblastoma, 3.4% Wilms tumor (kidney) and 7.1% GBG (brain).

Fortunately, and thanks to advances in science and a highly trained medical staff, the country's early detection rate is improving, added the doctor from the Clinica sin Fronteras Foundation, who explained that precisely the mission that moves them is the genuine desire to allow real access to health for as many people as possible, which is why they have a human and technical team to make an early detection and be able to contribute with an accurate diagnosis and treatment of the needs of our patients.

We have a laboratory service, top-of-the-line imaging equipment and medical consultations with really affordable rates to allow iata for your health needs.
News brought by https://www.vidayexito.net/estilo-de-vida/salud/15-de-febrero-dia-mundial-del-cancer-infantil/