Today, February 15, International Childhood Cancer Day is celebrated, a date that aims to raise awareness about this disease that also affects children.
Organizations from 61 countries around the world, members of the International Confederation of Parents of Children with Cancer (ICCCPO), celebrate this day since 2001. The objective is to raise awareness and promote a better quality of life for these children.
Statistics show that every year more than 150,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in the world. 80% of child patients live in developing countries.
According to International Union Against Cancer (UICC), in developed countries, three out of four children with cancer survive at least five years after being diagnosed, thanks to progress in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. In developing countries, more than half of children diagnosed with cancer are likely to die.
In Spain, after accidents, cancer is the second leading cause of infant mortality. Today, both the incidence and predominance of childhood cancer are on the rise.
Even so, according to the AECC the incidence of cancer in children is very low: 140 new cases per year for every million children under 15 years.
Some facts about childhood cancer
Around 250,000 children in the world get cancer every year.
80% of them are not diagnosed or do not have access to adequate treatment, resulting in unnecessary deaths.
Of those who access treatment, the need for rehabilitation and long-term support is not adequately recognized.
Most children in developing countries do not have access to these basic rights.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the most common cancers in childhood are: leukemia (cancer of white blood cells), followed by lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes), brain tumors (cancer that can be located in many parts of the brain), and osteosarcoma (bone cancer).
Tumors account for 80% of all cases.
During the last decades, advances in diagnostic techniques and in childhood cancer treatments have increased the survival of these children to 76%.
On a day like today where International Childhood Cancer Day is celebrated, we remind you that we can continue to launch solidarity virtual balloons and put on our white cancer t-shirt. And send a strong virtual hug to sick children and their families.
