Bolgatanga: Dr. Catherine Yiyugsah, a Paediatric Oncologist at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), has emphasized that childhood cancers are not a death sentence but are treatable if detected early. In a recent interview with the Ghana News Agency, Dr. Yiyugsah highlighted the importance of early detection, stating that while children can indeed develop cancers, the prospects for treatment and cure are promising when caught early. Delays in diagnosis can complicate treatment, she noted, making it critical for symptoms to be identified promptly.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Yiyugsah made these remarks following a workshop she facilitated on early warning signs and symptoms of childhood cancers in Bolgatanga. The event was organized by the World Child Cancer (WCC), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), and aimed to educate healthcare professionals, including nurses, midwives, Physician Assistants, and doctors, on recognizing early signs of childhood cancer. This initiative is part of the efforts to mark September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM).
Dr. Yiyugsah urged healthcare workers, particularly those at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres, and hospitals, to be vigilant for symptoms such as persistent fevers, weight loss, brittle bones, growths, swellings, and unexplained bleeding. Immediate referral for further investigation and management is crucial, she stressed. Although the causes of childhood cancers are not well understood, Dr. Yiyugsah pointed out risk factors like malaria for certain types of cancers and the potential impact of agrochemicals.
Mr. Emmanuel Ayire Adongo, Head of the WCC in Sub-Saharan Africa, also underscored the necessity for healthcare professionals, especially at the community level, to recognize early cancer indicators and refer cases for further evaluation. He revealed that approximately 1,500 children in Ghana are expected to develop cancer annually, yet only a third are diagnosed, leading to unnecessary fatalities at home due to misconceptions about treatment.
Mr. Adongo expressed concern over socio-cultural practices in rural areas where reliance on traditional healers delays medical intervention. He noted that even healthcare staff often lack awareness of the early signs of childhood cancers, resulting in late-stage diagnoses. With WCC’s intervention, the mortality rate has dropped from 80% to about 40%, but further reductions are needed through early detection and treatment.
In addition to training, Mr. Adongo announced plans to support the establishment of a well-equipped childhood cancer centre at the Regional Hospital, aiming to manage cases locally and reduce the need for travel to major hospitals for treatment. This initiative is part of WCC’s broader strategy to enhance regional healthcare infrastructure.
Mr. Mark Anthony Azongo, a Senior Resident in Paediatric Oncology at the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, praised the training program as vital for regional healthcare providers and expressed gratitude to the NGO for its support. Following the training, the WCC team, led by Mr. Adongo, visited the proposed site for the new Childhood Cancer Centre and other facilities at the Regional Hospital.