Today is International Childhood Cancer Day. "Childhood Cancer can be beaten" declares Pediatric Oncology Society!

AMMAN (Petra)--15 February 2013 – marks the International Childhood Cancer Day – a day in which the strength, courage and resiliency of children with cancer and their families are celebrated.

The Jordan Society of Pediatric Oncology, the International Society of Pediatric Oncology and the International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organizations (ICCCPO), with their members from around the world, will be reaching out to communities, schools, hospitals and the public in general. Parents will be working alongside pediatric oncologists, pediatricians, nurses, public health advocates and others in disseminating vital and life-saving information about childhood cancer.

Each year 175,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, of which an estimated 90,000 will die from the disease. The exact number of new cases is not known because in many countries not all children with cancer are registered and many are not ever even diagnosed correctly. These figures are staggering given the fact that 70% of all childhood cancers are curable when diagnosed and treated early. Cancer is the second leading cause of death among children in developed countries. The most common type of cancer in Europe, Americas, East Asia and among the Caucasian population is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, whereas Burkitt's lymphoma, associated with malaria and infection from the Epstein Barr virus, accounts for half of all childhood lymphomas in African countries.

The field of pediatric oncology has matured significantly since systematic therapy for childhood cancer became available in the 1950s. In the industrialized world, five year survival has improved continuously from less than 20% in the 1960s to 80% at the turn of this century, with the expectation that most children with cancer will now be cured. The challenge remains in resource-poor settings, notably in low and middle-income countries where the majority of children with cancer live. Children with cancer continue to lose their battles in these countries due to the fact that programs for early detection , treatment and know-how are simply not available. This, despite the fact that simple deliverables such as early warning signs are available and it has already been proven that by adapting treatment regimens in wealthier countries, the gap in cure rates would close. Cure rates for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), for example, are 80-85% in high-income countries while much lower in resource-poor countries.

The symptoms of cancer can often be interpreted as common childhood ailments" warns Dr. Rawad Rihani, the president of JSPO.

The following symptoms, if persistent, could be signs for childhood cancer: White spot in the eye, new squint, blindness, bulging eyeball.

Lump in abdomen/pelvis, head and neck, in limbs, testes, glands.

Unexplained prolonged fever over 2 weeks.

Loss of weight, pallor, fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding Aching bones, joints, back, and easy fractures.

Neurological signs: change or deterioration in walk, balance, or speech, regression of Milestones Headache for more than two weeks with or without vomiting, enlarging head "It is vital for parents to take their child to a physician or a qualified healthcare provider for further consultation if any of these symptoms persist" implores Dr. Rihani.

Myths surrounding childhood cancer, moreover, adds to the challenges in disseminating proper information. In some communities, for example, children with retinoblastoma or "cat's eye reflex" are often regarded with having supernatural powers and are left untreated until it is too late. Today, JSPO and SIOP, with its members from around the world will be reaching out to communities, schools, hospitals, and the public in general. JSPO will be holding awareness stations in Jordan’s biggest malls where they distribute information sheets about childhood cancer to the public, in addition to golden ribbons (Symbol of the day). Also, to mark this celebration, children with cancer will be visiting major fun and play areas sponsored by JSPO.