A W Craft1. 1. Department of Child Health, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Abstract
UNLABELLED: More than 70% of childhood cancer is now curable with best modern therapy. The treatment is expensive but in terms of cost per life year saved, USD 1750, compares very favourably with other major health interventions. The rate of improvement in survival is slowing down. New, "designer", treatments are needed and, better still, prevention. The causes of childhood cancer are beginning to emerge. The origin for many is probably in utero and may be initiated by dietary and other environmental exposures perhaps in susceptible individuals. However, one of the great challenges for the future must be to extend the benefits of modern treatment to the 80% of the world's children who currently have little or no access to it in economically disadvantaged and emerging nations. The International Paediatric Oncology Society (SIOP) is leading the way in bringing hope for children with cancer worldwide. In India, with the support of the WHO, there is a "train the trainers" programme. In Africa, pilot studies of cost-effective treatments for Burkitt's lymphoma are producing gratifying results in Malawi and there are several examples of twinning programmes between major centres in developed and less well-developed countries. CONCLUSIONS: The future for children with cancer is bright. Most are curable and prevention may be just over the horizon.
UNLABELLED: More than 70% of childhood cancer is now curable with best modern therapy. The treatment is expensive but in terms of cost per life year saved, USD 1750, compares very favourably with other major health interventions. The rate of improvement in survival is slowing down. New, "designer", treatments are needed and, better still, prevention. The causes of childhood cancer are beginning to emerge. The origin for many is probably in utero and may be initiated by dietary and other environmental exposures perhaps in susceptible individuals. However, one of the great challenges for the future must be to extend the benefits of modern treatment to the 80% of the world's children who currently have little or no access to it in economically disadvantaged and emerging nations. The International Paediatric Oncology Society (SIOP) is leading the way in bringing hope for children with cancer worldwide. In India, with the support of the WHO, there is a "train the trainers" programme. In Africa, pilot studies of cost-effective treatments for Burkitt's lymphoma are producing gratifying results in Malawi and there are several examples of twinning programmes between major centres in developed and less well-developed countries. CONCLUSIONS: The future for children with cancer is bright. Most are curable and prevention may be just over the horizon.
Authors: Jason D Pole; Paul Gibson; Marie-Chantal Ethier; Tanya Lazor; Donna L Johnston; Carol Portwine; Mariana Silva; Sarah Alexander; Lillian Sung Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2017-01-17 Impact factor: 7.640
Authors: Paul Gibson; Jason D Pole; Tanya Lazor; Donna Johnston; Carol Portwine; Mariana Silva; Sarah Alexander; Lillian Sung Journal: Cancer Med Date: 2018-02-23 Impact factor: 4.452