WINDHOEK—Rolf Hansen, Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN), has emphasized the urgency of raising awareness about childhood cancer in Namibia, where weekly, five to six families receive a childhood cancer diagnosis.
According to Namibia Press Agency, during an interview on Wednesday, marking Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, Hansen detailed the prevalent types of childhood cancers in the region, including soft tissue sarcomas, and cancers affecting the eye, brain, and blood. He highlighted the challenges in preventing and detecting these cancers, which differ significantly from adult cancers. “Cancer occurs in people of all ages and can affect any part of the body. It begins with a genetic change in single cells that then grows into a mass (or tumor) that invades other parts of the body and causes harm and death if left untreated. Unlike cancer in adults, the vast majority of childhood cancers do not have a known cause,” Hansen explained.
The CEO noted that preventive efforts in children are primarily aimed at reducing future cancer risks in adulthood. Chronic infections such as HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, and malaria pose significant risk factors for childhood cancer, particularly in lower and middle-income countries. Effective vaccinations and early treatment of these infections can substantially lower cancer risks. Genetic factors account for about 10% of childhood cancer cases.
Hansen also addressed the severe consequences of inadequate healthcare access, which can lead to avoidable deaths from childhood cancer. These include lack of diagnosis, misdiagnosis, treatment delays, and treatment abandonment, all contributing to a high mortality rate among affected children. “In lower and middle-income countries, avoidable deaths from childhood cancer often result from issues such as lack of diagnosis, misdiagnosis, delays in treatment, and obstacles in accessing care. Additionally, abandonment of treatment, toxicity, and relapse contribute to the high mortality rate,” he stated.
He urged the Namibian community to support CAN’s efforts through the CHICA (Children fighting cancer) Programme and the Paediatric Oncology Ward of the Ministry of Health and Social Services at the Windhoek Central Hospital this September.