DOHA: The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has launched an awareness campaign on childhood cancer, in line with the Qatar National Cancer Strategy (QNCS).
SCH has decided to dedicate this month (December) for the campaign in response to a recommendation of the NCS. QNCS emphasises the importance of early detection and treatment of cancer.
The National Cancer Implementation Team at SCH has developed an annual cancer awareness calendar in support of this. The SCH, Hamad Medical Corporation and Primary Health Care Corporation have been collaborating in efforts to raise cancer awareness among the population in Qatar.
The calendar identifies a range of topics to focus on including childhood cancer with a particular focus on Leukaemia.
Leukaemia, a type of cancer of the blood cells or bone marrow, is the most common of childhood malignancies.
The prevalence of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is about four cases per 100,000 children worldwide with the largest numbers falling in the two to four years age range.
In children, 97 percent of leukaemia is acute while three percent are chronic. Of the acute leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common.
In almost all cases of childhood leukaemia, no apparent cause will be found, including in acute leukaemia. However, ionizing radiation, chemicals, drugs and genetic considerations are felt to be important influences.
The Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Section at HMC is also involved in educating Primary Healthcare and Paediatric Emergency Centre physicians on recognising the symptoms of possible cancer in children early and how to refer them for diagnosis and treatment. The Peninsula
