Children throughout the developing world lack access to even the most basic cancer treatment and pain relief, leading to the needless deaths of 100 000 children every year, say two leading cancer organisations.
Figure 1.
Cancer groups are asking the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, for support
Credit: EPA/PA
The organisations say that cooperation is needed between the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organisation, and the pharmaceutical industry so that the price of anticancer drugs can be reduced.
Cancer Research UK, which funds the most research into childhood cancers in Britain, and the International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organisations say that of the 250 000 children who develop cancer every year, 80% die without adequate treatment. Many do not even receive morphine, the organisations state.
The confederation believes it is realistic to aim for a 50% survival rate among these children, saving 100 000 lives.
Simon Lala, chairman of the confederation, said: “Over the past 10 years, the confederation has worked with professional organisations around the world to improve conditions for children with cancer.
“We know from this that lives can be saved, but there is still much to do. We need to accelerate the rate of progress, and I appeal to the media to support us in raising awareness of the plight of children with cancer worldwide.”
The charities chose to highlight the issue to coincide with the international childhood cancer day, 15 February. The confederation is now appealing to Kofi Annan, secretary general of the United Nations, and Hilary Benn, the United Kingdom's international development secretary, for an increase in funds to tackle childhood cancer in the developing world.
Geoff Thaxter, vice president of the confederation, said: “There is a great willingness among families and professionals involved with childhood cancer to reduce the 100 000 needless deaths a year—these children have a right to life. If we can get the support of Kofi Annan and governments around the world, this can all be done more quickly. We are not passing the problem to them to solve; we want their help in working together.”
Professor Tim Eden, president elect of the International Society for Paediatric Oncology, said: “There's an assumption that treating cancer is expensive, but it doesn't have to be. For some types it can cost as little as £20 [$38; €30] to cure a child. By developing treatment regimes that take account of a country's medical facilities and providing proper training and advice to local doctors, we can make great progress on relatively limited funds.”