Dubai Hospital marks International Childhood Cancer Day

Dubai: Dozens of children with cancer at Dubai Hospital were surprised on Monday when they were visited by superheroes at the hospital’s annual campaign to mark International Childhood Cancer Day.

Volunteers dressed in superhero costumes, including Batman, Snow White, and Elsa from the movie Frozen, took pictures with cancer survivors as well as children currently under treatment at the hospital.

The yearly event aims to raise more awareness about the importance of early detection of cancer, and the value of a support group.

There are currently 72 children with cancer undergoing active treatment at the hospital, and another 70 patients who have been treated and visit the hospital for regular follow-ups, Dr Abdul Rahman Al Jasmi, consultant oncologist and CEO of Dubai Hospital, said.

“Unlike adult cancers, where only 60 per cent of cases are curable, almost 85 per cent of all paediatric cancer cases are curable if detected and treated early,” he said.

The youngest patient at the hospital is a seven-month-old Egyptian expatriate who has a brain tumour, and the oldest patient is 18 years old.

Al Jasmi said that while the hospital transfers patients to adult oncology clinics after they turn 18, most of the cases that come to the hospital are detected early. “Early detection is an important criteria for positive patient outcomes. The hospital has advanced services for early diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow up,” said Al Jasmi.

Most childhood cancers, however, are initially present with non-specific sign or symptoms, said Dr Hani Humad, paediatric oncologist at Dubai Hospital.

“This may lead to late detection. Childhood cancers are rare, therefore, there is no widely recommended screening tests to look for cancer,” explained Dr Humad.

The causes of cancer in children also vary, as some children have a higher chance of developing a specific type of tumour because of certain genes they inherit from a parent. These children need careful, regular medical check-ups that include special tests to look for early signs of cancer, said Dr Humad. Fewer cases of congenital cancer, where the child is born with cancer, have also been reported at the hospital. “In general, cancers in children can be hard to recognise right away because early symptoms are often like those caused by much more common illnesses or injuries,” he said. Dr Humad urges parents to keep track of any consistent symptoms and ensure their children have regular medical check-ups.

These symptoms include any unusual lumps or swelling, unexplained paleness and loss of energy, easy bruising, nose bleeds, gum bleeds, dizziness, and ongoing pain in one area of the body. Children with cancer could also suffer from limping, unexplained fever or consistent illness, frequent headaches often with vomiting, sudden eye or vision changes and sudden unexplained weight loss.

The hospital receives approximately 50 new cases of paediatric cancer a year, of which 70 per cent are leukaemia cases and the remaining 30 per cent are cases of solid tumours.

“The type of cancer depends on the age group. Most children under three diagnosed with cancer will have solid tumours, whereas the older age groups are usually diagnosed with blood diseases such with leukaemia and lymphoma,” he said.

Dr Humad pointed out that depending on the stage of the cancer, and the aggressiveness of the tumour, treatment time can vary. “If detected in stage 1-2, leukaemia in particular would need six to seven months of extensive chemotherapy, followed by one and a half years of oral chemotherapy, where the child does not need to be admitted to the hospital regularly,” he explained.

Chemotherapy treatments can lead to the suppression of the bone marrow, which leaves the patient more susceptible to developing bacterial and fungal infections and fevers, to name a few, Dr Humad said.

“We have advanced medical tools for diagnosis of cancer in children, which makes it seem like the number of patients is increasing — however, we also provide supportive care to help avoid complications when patients are undergoing chemotherapy,” he said.

Dr Humad emphasised the importance of cooperation from families, schools, and the media when dealing with children with cancer.

Dubai Hospital event

During the Dubai Hospital event, the Dubai Health Authority also organised a smart clinic to educate the community about the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer. It highlighted the importance of timely detection and treatment options. Information was disseminated through the Authority’s Facebook page, Twitter page( DHA_Dubai), Instagram and through Periscope.