A Trustee of Children Living with Cancer Foundation (CLWCF), a non-governmental organisation, has expressed deep concern over the delay by parents /guardians in reporting early detection of cancer in children. This, according to the expert, leads to deaths of Nigerian children, “whereas childhood cancer is curable if detected on time, diagnosed on time and dealt with properly.”

Dr Nneka Nwobbi disclosed this at a media briefing in Surulere, Lagos, to honour the International Childhood Cancer Day.

She noted: “Cancer is an expensive ailment even for the rich. However, cancer medication is a lot less expensive when diagnosed early and treatment started on time. CLWCF is committed to help facilitate awareness of childhood cancer, but cancer in children is curable. And support of families affected by cancer is inadequate because of financial challenges, as most are from poor families. Our focus is to save as many lives as possible through early detection, diagnoses and prompt medical attention. CLWCF has provided to several children, without any cost to their families, total/partial coverage of expenses related to chemotherapy, support with medications, counseling for the children and their families, support for families, international consult and collaboration, overseas travel where needed, undertaking and developing relevant training programmes, research and medical studies into the disease of cancer generally in children and all its ramifications with a view to alleviate the suffering of victims and lots more.”

Dr Akinsete Adeseye, Consultant Paediatrician with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, who specialises in hematology/oncology, said most children are never diagnosed because their symptoms are not recognised; or diagnosed too late for effective treatment. She urged parents to look out for signs such as white spots in the eyes, new squint, blindness, bulging eyeball, lump in the abdomen and pelvis; head and neck, limbs, testes, glands, change in behaviour, balance, headaches, enlarge head and more.

He said: “The challenges are enormous; we need supports from corporate organisation and individuals. We have urgent need for children’s basic drugs, especially when the child has been diagnosed and the medication required is known. Funds for surgery and pathology histology; beds for the newly built cancer (oncology) ward in LUTH, medical equipment and more.”

Kenny Saint Best, an ambassador for children living with cancer, called on Nigerian artists to leave the instagram life and face reality by supporting the kids living with cancer. “I’m calling my colleagues in the music industry and the entertainment industry to please leave the instagram and support children living with cancer. It’s real and they are here with us. Let’s not be empty celebrities. I also want corporate organisations to, please, save the future of Nigeria by helping children living with cancer. We need funds for more research, machines, volunteers, teachers to teach these children while they are going through chemotherapy. ”

•Photo shows Dr. Nneka Nwobbi (L), Miss Kelechi Agwu, Master Adebayo Oluwatofunmi (cancer survivor) and Kenny Saint Best.

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