A yellow ribbon for children with cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of death for children and adolescents. The likelihood of surviving a diagnosis of childhood cancer depends on the country in which the child lives; in high-income countries, more than 80% of children with cancer are cured, but in many LMICs less than 30% are cured (2).
Although childhood cancer cannot generally be prevented or identified through screening, most types of childhood cancer can be cured with generic medicines and other forms of treatment, including surgery and radiotherapy.
The reasons for lower survival rates in LMICs include delay in diagnosis, an inability to obtain an accurate diagnosis, inaccessible therapy, abandonment of treatment, death from toxicity (side effects) and avoidable relapse. Improving access to childhood cancer care, including to essential medicines and technologies, is highly cost-effective, feasible and can improve survival in all income settings.
Childhood cancer data systems are needed to drive continuous improvements in the quality of care, and to inform policy decisions.
Causes
Cancer occurs in people of all ages and can affect any part of the body. It begins with genetic change in single cells that can then grow into a mass (or tumour), invade other parts of the body and cause harm and death if left untreated. Unlike cancer in adults, most childhood cancers do not have a known cause. Many studies have sought to identify the causes of childhood cancer, but very few cancers in children are caused by environmental or lifestyle factors. Cancer prevention efforts in children should focus on behaviours that will prevent the child from developing preventable cancer as an adult.
Some chronic infections, such as HIV, Epstein-Barr virus and malaria, are risk factors for childhood cancer. They are particularly relevant in LMICs. Other infections can increase a child’s risk of developing cancer as an adult, so it is important to be vaccinated (against hepatitis B to help prevent liver cancer and against human papillomavirus to help prevent cervical cancer) and to other pursue other methods such as early detection and treatment of chronic infections that can lead to cancer.
Current data suggest that approximately 10% of all children with cancer have a predisposition because of genetic factors (3). Further research is needed to identify factors impacting cancer development in children.
Improving outcomes of childhood cancer
Because it is generally not possible to prevent cancer in children, the most effective strategy to reduce the burden of cancer in children and improve outcomes is to focus on a prompt, correct diagnosis followed by effective, evidence-based therapy with tailored supportive care.
Early diagnosis
When identified early, cancer is more likely to respond to effective treatment and result in a greater probability of survival, less suffering, and often less expensive and less intensive treatment. Significant improvements can be made in the lives of children with cancer by detecting cancer early and avoiding delays in care. A correct diagnosis is essential to treat children with cancer because each cancer requires a specific treatment regimen that may include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Early diagnosis consists of 3 components:
awareness of symptoms by families and primary care providers;
accurate and timely clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and staging (determining the extent to which a cancer has spread); and
access to prompt treatment.
Early diagnosis is relevant in all settings and improves survival for many cancers. Programmes to promote early and correct diagnosis have been successfully implemented in countries of all income levels, often through the collaborative efforts of governments, civil society and nongovernmental organizations, with vital roles played by parent groups. Childhood cancer is associated with a range of warning symptoms, such as fever, severe and persistent headaches, bone pain and weight loss, that can be detected by families and by trained primary health-care providers.
Screening is generally not helpful for childhood cancers. In some select cases, it can be considered in high-risk populations. For example, some eye cancers in children can be caused by a mutation that is inherited, so if that mutation or disease is identified in the family of a child with retinoblastoma, genetic counselling can be offered and siblings monitored with regular eye examinations early in life. Genetic causes of childhood cancers are relevant in only a small proportion children with cancer. There is no high-quality evidence to support population-based screening programmes in children.
Treatment
A correct diagnosis is essential to prescribe appropriate therapy for the type and extent of the disease. Standard therapies include chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiotherapy. Children also need special attention to their continued physical and cognitive growth and nutritional status, which requires a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team. Access to effective diagnosis, essential medicines, pathology, blood products, radiation therapy, technology and psychosocial and supportive care are variable and inequitable around the world.
However, cure is possible for more than 80% of children with cancer when childhood cancer services are accessible. Pharmacological treatment, for example, includes inexpensive generic medications included on the WHO List of essential medicines for children. Children who complete treatment require ongoing care to monitor for cancer recurrence and to manage any possible long-term impact of treatment.
This September, the Cancer Association of Namibia (WO30) through our CHICA (Children Fighting Cancer) Namibia programme will once again mobilise the nation:
1) CANCafé Pancake & Cupcake Sales – raising funds for childhood cancer care.
2) Yellow Ribbon Festival in Walvis Bay, supported by AlexForbes on Saturday, 20 September 2025
3) Concluding the month’s activities at the end of September, the CHICA Family Fun Day supported by Libert Life Namibia, on Saturday, 27 September in Windhoek
All proceeds support the CHICA Namibia Fund (Children Fighting Cancer in Namibia), which provides essential services to young patients and their families.
What the CHICA Fund Does:
The CHICA Fund supports children fighting cancer and their families through:
• Awareness & education on childhood cancers
• Free accommodation for children and mothers at CHICA House while receiving treatment in Windhoek
• Psychosocial & emotional counselling for families
• Transport support for patients
• Financial assistance for treatment costs
• Provision of milk, nappies & daily essentials
• Medical support items such as crutches, wheelchairs & glasses
• Funeral support for bereaved families (with NAMBOB Funeral Services)
• Maintenance & upkeep of the Childhood Cancer Ward (8 West) at Windhoek Central Hospital
Where to Get Help:
Families needing assistance can contact the CHICA Programme of the Cancer Association of Namibia at 061 237740 or hope@can.org.na
How to Get Involved:
1) Volunteer – Contact our CAN Patient Navigators: hope@can.org.na
2) Host a Spray-a-Thon – Perfect for schools, offices & communities: projects@can.org.na
3) Donate – Sustain the CHICA Fund: debtors@can.org.na
4) Order Pancakes & Cupcakes – Place your orders: reception@can.org.na
5) Support our family fun days in Walvis Bay and Windhoek, help raise awareness and funds to impact lives
Did you know?
An average of 136 new childhood cancer cases per annum have been reported to the Namibia National Cancer Registry since 2013.
Although childhood cancer cannot generally be prevented or identified through screening, most types of childhood cancer can be cured with generic medicines and other forms of treatment, including surgery and radiotherapy.
The reasons for lower survival rates in LMICs include delay in diagnosis, an inability to obtain an accurate diagnosis, inaccessible therapy, abandonment of treatment, death from toxicity (side effects) and avoidable relapse. Improving access to childhood cancer care, including to essential medicines and technologies, is highly cost-effective, feasible and can improve survival in all income settings.
Childhood cancer data systems are needed to drive continuous improvements in the quality of care, and to inform policy decisions.
Causes
Cancer occurs in people of all ages and can affect any part of the body. It begins with genetic change in single cells that can then grow into a mass (or tumour), invade other parts of the body and cause harm and death if left untreated. Unlike cancer in adults, most childhood cancers do not have a known cause. Many studies have sought to identify the causes of childhood cancer, but very few cancers in children are caused by environmental or lifestyle factors. Cancer prevention efforts in children should focus on behaviours that will prevent the child from developing preventable cancer as an adult.
Some chronic infections, such as HIV, Epstein-Barr virus and malaria, are risk factors for childhood cancer. They are particularly relevant in LMICs. Other infections can increase a child’s risk of developing cancer as an adult, so it is important to be vaccinated (against hepatitis B to help prevent liver cancer and against human papillomavirus to help prevent cervical cancer) and to other pursue other methods such as early detection and treatment of chronic infections that can lead to cancer.
Current data suggest that approximately 10% of all children with cancer have a predisposition because of genetic factors (3). Further research is needed to identify factors impacting cancer development in children.
Improving outcomes of childhood cancer
Because it is generally not possible to prevent cancer in children, the most effective strategy to reduce the burden of cancer in children and improve outcomes is to focus on a prompt, correct diagnosis followed by effective, evidence-based therapy with tailored supportive care.
Early diagnosis
When identified early, cancer is more likely to respond to effective treatment and result in a greater probability of survival, less suffering, and often less expensive and less intensive treatment. Significant improvements can be made in the lives of children with cancer by detecting cancer early and avoiding delays in care. A correct diagnosis is essential to treat children with cancer because each cancer requires a specific treatment regimen that may include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Early diagnosis consists of 3 components:
awareness of symptoms by families and primary care providers;
accurate and timely clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and staging (determining the extent to which a cancer has spread); and
access to prompt treatment.
Early diagnosis is relevant in all settings and improves survival for many cancers. Programmes to promote early and correct diagnosis have been successfully implemented in countries of all income levels, often through the collaborative efforts of governments, civil society and nongovernmental organizations, with vital roles played by parent groups. Childhood cancer is associated with a range of warning symptoms, such as fever, severe and persistent headaches, bone pain and weight loss, that can be detected by families and by trained primary health-care providers.
Screening is generally not helpful for childhood cancers. In some select cases, it can be considered in high-risk populations. For example, some eye cancers in children can be caused by a mutation that is inherited, so if that mutation or disease is identified in the family of a child with retinoblastoma, genetic counselling can be offered and siblings monitored with regular eye examinations early in life. Genetic causes of childhood cancers are relevant in only a small proportion children with cancer. There is no high-quality evidence to support population-based screening programmes in children.
Treatment
A correct diagnosis is essential to prescribe appropriate therapy for the type and extent of the disease. Standard therapies include chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiotherapy. Children also need special attention to their continued physical and cognitive growth and nutritional status, which requires a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team. Access to effective diagnosis, essential medicines, pathology, blood products, radiation therapy, technology and psychosocial and supportive care are variable and inequitable around the world.
However, cure is possible for more than 80% of children with cancer when childhood cancer services are accessible. Pharmacological treatment, for example, includes inexpensive generic medications included on the WHO List of essential medicines for children. Children who complete treatment require ongoing care to monitor for cancer recurrence and to manage any possible long-term impact of treatment.
This September, the Cancer Association of Namibia (WO30) through our CHICA (Children Fighting Cancer) Namibia programme will once again mobilise the nation:
1) CANCafé Pancake & Cupcake Sales – raising funds for childhood cancer care.
2) Yellow Ribbon Festival in Walvis Bay, supported by AlexForbes on Saturday, 20 September 2025
3) Concluding the month’s activities at the end of September, the CHICA Family Fun Day supported by Libert Life Namibia, on Saturday, 27 September in Windhoek
All proceeds support the CHICA Namibia Fund (Children Fighting Cancer in Namibia), which provides essential services to young patients and their families.
What the CHICA Fund Does:
The CHICA Fund supports children fighting cancer and their families through:
• Awareness & education on childhood cancers
• Free accommodation for children and mothers at CHICA House while receiving treatment in Windhoek
• Psychosocial & emotional counselling for families
• Transport support for patients
• Financial assistance for treatment costs
• Provision of milk, nappies & daily essentials
• Medical support items such as crutches, wheelchairs & glasses
• Funeral support for bereaved families (with NAMBOB Funeral Services)
• Maintenance & upkeep of the Childhood Cancer Ward (8 West) at Windhoek Central Hospital
Where to Get Help:
Families needing assistance can contact the CHICA Programme of the Cancer Association of Namibia at 061 237740 or hope@can.org.na
How to Get Involved:
1) Volunteer – Contact our CAN Patient Navigators: hope@can.org.na
2) Host a Spray-a-Thon – Perfect for schools, offices & communities: projects@can.org.na
3) Donate – Sustain the CHICA Fund: debtors@can.org.na
4) Order Pancakes & Cupcakes – Place your orders: reception@can.org.na
5) Support our family fun days in Walvis Bay and Windhoek, help raise awareness and funds to impact lives
Did you know?
An average of 136 new childhood cancer cases per annum have been reported to the Namibia National Cancer Registry since 2013.
