Acute leukaemias account for 69% of cancer cases among children – CMO

In the children demographic, the most prevalent cancer detected in Guyana is acute leukaemia cases – accounting for about 69 per cent of detected cases.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narine Singh appeared on this week’s edition of the Health Matters programme, which focused on Childhood Cancer Awareness.
He shared that Childhood Cancer Awareness is geared at spreading the word on early detections to improve survivability and prognosis. To date, he noted that leukaemias account for about 69 per cent of detections.
“We think about cancer, we think about adults. We always report about the cancer stats in adults but sometimes the childhood cancer stats get neglected or sometimes it is not brought to the forefront. It is important because we are seeing more and more cases in Guyana,” the CMO underscored.
Many times, Dr Singh divulged, detection is late owing to subtle symptoms. This impacts prognosis and treatment.

Consultant in the Paediatric Medicine Department at GPHC, Dr Sherelyn Stanton underlined that Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is observed in September, drawing focus on the fact that it is the second leading cause of death in children and adolescents in the Americas.
The Paediatric Medicine Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has several teams, including a haematology and oncology service that examines children with blood disorders and cancers.
Dr Stanton disclosed, “The team focuses not only on seeing those patients who are already diagnosed and managing them, giving them chemotherapy and the like, but also investigating potential patients that have cancer. We operate not only in a treatment measure but in an advisory capacity.”
While the department facilitates children under 13 years of age, older kids spanning up to 18 years are seen by the adult oncology department.
The consultant zeroed in on family support as one of the ‘big areas’ for children diagnosed with cancers, which are oftentimes overlooked. When children are admitted, they are more prone to desire the presence of a family member. However, this is many times marred by financial constraints and other family obligations.
“We don’t pay as much attention to that but the management of any type of cancer should be holistic where we not only think about getting blood work done, giving chemotherapy, or having surgery…but also what are the things that will make the quality of life of that child improved, or at least tolerable.”
She added that the first conversations after a diagnosis are difficult. However, parents have been encouraged to have their children screened if they are not feeling well.
The medical professional noted, “If your child is not well or not getting better, the ideal thing would be to seek medical attention and at this point, let the clinicians do the work for you.”
There are no general screening methods available around the world for prevalent cancers such as leukaemias, brain cancers, and lymphomas.
Plans are being made to expand the paediatric haematology and oncology services. Capacity is expected to increase with the new €149M Paediatric and Maternal Hospital at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, with dedicated clinic area; and facilities for chemotherapy, transfusions, and other services in an outpatient-type setting – safe from potentially infectious diseases.
“Once we have those facilities available, they should be able to come and comfortably get their outpatient care for their cancer.” (G-12)