The myths and stigma of childhood cancer

Adri LudickProgramme Development Manager

What is a myth?

What is a myth?

A myth is a traditional story, especially one

concerning the early history of a people or

explaining a natural or social phenomenon,

and typically involving supernatural beings or

events.

Synonyms: folk tale, story, folk story,

legend, tale, fable, saga, allegory, parable,

tradition, lore, folklore; a widely held but false

belief or idea.

Who

believe

in

myths?

How do

you

convince

someone?

Cancer is a white man’s disease

Most common Cancers – by Race and Order of Prevalence [www.news24.com]

Black South African Men Black South African Women

Oesophageal cancer

Lung cancer

Liver cancer

Cancer of the Larynx

Cervical cancer

Breast cancer

Oesophageal cancer

Uterine cancer

Lung cancer

South African Cancer Diagnosis in 2010 by population Groups – Blacks/ Africans

[www.cansa.org.za]

All Cancers – Black Men in 2012 All Cancers – Black women in 2010

11 666 16 514

All Cancers – White Men in 2012 All Cancers – White women in 2012

20 055 15 872

[Compared to] Cancer Diagnosis in 2010 by Population Groups – White/ Caucasian

[www.cansa.org.za]

Children don’t get cancer

Every 3 minutes some child somewhere in the world is

diagnosed with cancer.

According to IARC (2015), the reported worldwide

incidence of childhood cancer is increasing, from

165,000 new cases annually to 215,000 cases for

children 14 years and younger and 85,000 new cases

for 15-19 year-olds.

In SA an average of 1000 children under the age of 16

are diagnosed with cancer every year.

Cancer is a punishment

The cancer is a punishment or a curse.

Certain rituals, religion, cultural practices or laws

were not followed and therefor they do not have a

right to treatment.

They belief that the disease is a curse or

punishment because I did something wrong;

therefore I don’t have the right to cancer care.

You don’t talk about cancer

Some people are protective and do not reveal or talk

about bad things from the past.

Medical history is key to new diagnoses and previous

diseases in families need to be revealed during

medical examinations.

The elders / church take some decisions when it

comes to blood transfusions, medical procedures and

amputations and parents – especially single parents -

cannot do anything before consultation with the elders,

religious leaders, traditional healers or spiritualists

(sangomas).

Cancer is contagious

Some people belief that cancer is contagious and

have a fear of being infected.

Some teachers lack information about cancer and

will not allow children with cancer in their schools /

classes.

The truth is that cancer cannot be spread through

contact.

Children do not survive cancer

Survival rates in high-income countries reach an

average of 84% and are steadily improving even in

less-resourced areas of the world where there are

integrated programmes.

In SA the survival rate is between 50% and 55%.

CHOC has a survivors programme SOLID and the

survivors go into the wards to motivate newly

diagnosed patients or speak at awareness events.

There are no signs and

symptoms

The St Siluan early warning signs of children with

cancer have been developed by the South African

Children’s Cancer Study Group and has been

endorsed by the South African National Department

of Health.

CHOC trains Healthcare practitioners, Healthcare

workers and Traditional Practitioners to identify the

early warning signs of childhood cancer.

There is nothing I can do about

cancer

Often the Health Systems and Referral processes fail the

patients. Children with cancer must be treated in a

paediatric haematology oncology unit by a paediatric

oncologist or a paediatric haematologist.

How will you react when you

see a myth in your community?

What could

you do to

change the

attitudes of

communities

w.r.t.

childhood

cancer?

What could we do to change the attitudes

of communities regarding myths and

beliefs?

Families, friends and partners must unite in support of the

child with cancer and respect each other’s human rights.

Open communication about people’s medical histories are

important and could help in early diagnoses during

medical examinations.

Communities need to have awareness days where these

topics are explained to the public

What could CHOC / we do to change the

attitudes of communities regarding

myths and beliefs?

What could we do to change the attitudes

of communities regarding myths and

beliefs?

CHOC, Academia, Departments of Health andother NGO’s need to continue to educateHealthcare Professionals, Healthcare Workers,Traditional Practitioners and communities in theEarly Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer

Cancer training must be compulsory for all HealthProfessionals and needs to be part of continuous

professional development.

What could CHOC / we do to change the

attitudes of communities regarding

myths and beliefs?

What could we do to change the attitudes

of communities regarding myths and

beliefs?

Q&A

www.choc.org.zaCHOC childhood Cancer SA

CHOC Childhood SAHeadoffice: 086 111 3500headoffice@CHOC.org.za