Today February 15 marks the International Day of the child with cancer with the objective of informing about childhood cancer and its problem to society in general, trying to obtain its awareness.
It is also intended to publicize the work of the Associations in improving the quality of life of children with cancer and their families, as well as to express the demands and needs of affected children and their families by the Parent Associations.
In addition, we want to involve public institutions in the coverage of the needs of affected children and their families, and although there is no date to try, this special day has been established. We are going to learn more about the disease and its figures.
As explained by the Spanish Association for the Fight Against Cancer (AECC), the word "cancer" is a very broad term that covers more than 200 types of diseases.
Each of these types of diseases can have completely different characteristics from the rest of the cancers, and can be considered independent diseases, with their specific causes, evolution and treatment.
However, all of them have a common denominator: cancer cells acquire the ability to multiply and spread throughout the body without control.
The figures of childhood cancer
In general, children respond better to treatments than adult cancers and have a higher survival rate. The incidence of cancer in children is very low: 140 new cases per year for every million children under 15 years.
During the last decades, in our environment, advances in diagnostic techniques and in childhood cancer treatments have increased the survival of these children to 76%.
Practically eight out of ten children with cancer can be cured if they are treated in reference units specialized in childhood cancer. Early diagnosis can make a difference in the results and in the long-term side effects.
However, four out of five children with cancer do not have access to medicines in the world, which makes treatment and cure difficult. About 100,000 children suffering from cancer, living in developing countries, die each year due to lack of medical treatment, according to a report by two Non-Governmental Organizations dedicated to fighting the disease.
Children who go through cancer have to face, from a very young age, a difficult and painful situation: hospitalization, aggressive treatments, tests and medical controls, stop going to school for a season, face the fear of death and suffering , face the changes that occur in your family ...
Therefore, any help to overcome this bad drink (not only physical) derived from the disease, together with the support and understanding of the environment and society, are essential for children who have cancer and struggle to overcome it.
