Better paediatric cancer care around the globe: it's in reach, but still to be grasped

Science and technology are constantly widening new understanding and providing better tools to tackle paediatric cancer. But availability is not the same as accessibility. Many children and adolescents around the world still receive inadequate diagnosis, treatment and support. 

The reasons for this gap are numerous, but as one concrete step towards identifying key factors, a trio of concerned organizations have initiated a systematic inquiry by clinicians and academics into the nature of the problem, with a focus on the particular difficulties facing low- and middle-income countries (1). The European Alliance for Personalised Medicine, in association with the Switzerland-based Botnar Foundation, are launching today the outcomes of a suite of expert reflections they have underwritten. 

A dedicated web-page on the Ecancer site offers practical insights into a wide range of specific challenges in paediatric oncology, along with recommendations for possible remedies. It is based in part on responses to an invitation for reports of developments, challenges, and opportunities in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and blood diseases in children in developed and developing countries. 

'A global destination in sight for paediatrics: Doing it right to bring Oncogenomic into healthcare systems for children across all regions globally' covers subjects that range from the introduction of molecular tumour boards or regional disparities in myeloma treatment to the establishment of oncology training or the managing immune-related adverse responses in Africa, and includes issues as diverse as adherence to treatment in rural areas, the impact of stigma on screening, or adapting hospital practice to protect patients in the face of COVID-19.  

It provides a unique conspectus on the on-the-ground realities, and at the same time offers expert commentary on the significance for paediatric cancer care of the political, economic and social context of health policy decision-making. The views were compiled in a virtual conference organised by EAPM, that gives an overview of the topics and of the overall challenges. (2)

An accompanying editorial, 'Inequalities in paediatric cancer care: A need for Action', (3) summarises the contributions, highlighting the outstanding issues that require policy action to turn aspirations into realities. As it concludes, "This is not in any way a complete catalogue of the challenges to paediatric cancer care around the globe, nor is it anything other than a snapshot of some of the handicaps and some of the efforts to overcome them. But it does highlight some of the ongoing discrepancies. It merits attention." 

On the threshold of 2022, when the position of world health on the agenda will remain high as the pandemic persists, and when researchers, regulators, the healthcare professions are becoming ever more closely engaged in the policy issues fundamental to health, this initiative is particularly apt. It encapsulates how much has been done and is being done to improve the quality of cancer care for young people, and exposes sharply how much remains to be done.   Science has shown pathways that can lead to success, but as ever, politics and investment need to be linked together for the potential to be fully realized. 

The materials can be viewed directly on the following links:

(1) Ecancer...

(2) A global destination in sight for paediatrics: Doing it right to bring Oncogenomic into healthcare systems for children across all regions globally

(3) Inequalities in paediatric cancer care

Much of the source material can also be found on this site.

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