Bristol Myers Squibb and World Child Cancer creating an impact for childhood cancer
World Child Cancer collaboration is creating a positive impact for childhood cancer in Ghana and Cameroon with support from Bristol Myers Squibb
For many people, September is a significant month, such as the start of the new academic year. Across the world, September is the official month of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This collaborative campaign takes place internationally to raise awareness on childhood cancer and the global inequalities that exist, as well as celebrate advances in child cancer care and show support for children and young people living with and beyond cancer. A great timing to celebrate that World Child Cancer, with the support from Bristol Myers Squibb, is helping to improve equitable access to treatment for children with cancer in Ghana and Cameroon.
Globally, around 400,000 children get diagnosed with cancer each year. Compared to high-income countries, such as the UK or the USA, where survival rates surpass 80%, certain low- and middle-income countries – who make up the majority of the 400,000 children who are diagnosed with cancer each year – see survival rates of no more than 20%.
World Child Cancer and Bristol Myers Squibb are jointly contributing to WHO’s Global Childhood Cancer Initiative, whose ambitious goal is to raise global childhood survival rates to 60% by 2030. This initiative aims to fill an important gap: strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals in pediatric oncology in Cameroon and Ghana.
With most forms of childhood cancer being highly curable if detected early, this training equips healthcare workers with the skills to recognize and quickly refer suspected cases. In the past few months, the Early Warning Signs and Symptoms (EWSS) Training has been delivered in Ghana and Cameroon, where 574 healthcare workers now report an improved knowledge of early warning signs and symptoms of childhood cancer. In Ghana, the number of new cancer diagnoses amongst children has increased by over 18% between 2019-2021. This training will further improve increased diagnoses.
Furthermore, we are focusing on deepening the knowledge of oncology nurses and improving the capacity for palliative care in Cameroon. These activities are currently being undertaken and we are confident that the training offered will be greatly beneficial to the children indirectly benefiting from it.
None of this would be possible without the generous grant of $158k from Bristol Myers Squibb, who have enabled the provision of essential pediatric oncology training to healthcare workers in Ghana and Cameroon, thus contributing to improve the chances of survival of children with cancer in the long-term in these countries. Our heartfelt thanks go to Bristol Myers Squibb for making this happen.
For opportunities to create a positive impact for children and families affected by childhood cancer worldwide like Bristol Myers Squibb, please visit here for more information.
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We first met Naa in 2016 when she was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumour at 7 years old. In 2021 the cancer returned and Naa underwent treatment again. She has battled cancer twice and is now back in school.
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