Childhood Cancers : Walking, Raising Awareness On A “Taboo” Subject

“We gathered not only to march, but to lend our voices to children suffering from cancer. It was a sensitisation march and a call for action and reawakening. Together, we can overcome childhood cancer. About 1,000 cases of childhood cancer are detected each year in Cameroon. I am a former cancer patient. My advice to parents of children affected by cancer is to seek treatment and have hope,” said Martinien Ateba, 26.

All Hands On Deck  
Martinien was part of a group of hundreds of people – including very young children – who walked and danced through some streets in the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde. On Saturday, September 28, 2024 to raise awareness on childhood cancer. The walk was organised by Mori’ sChild, a charity that supports children suffering from cancer. “We walked to support children affected by cancer. The walk went on well and I enjoyed it. We sang and danced as we sensitised the public on childhood cancer,” said little Ula Serviet Urielle. 

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 
“As part of our activities to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (September), we organised a walk in Yaounde. This year our Childhood Cancer Awareness Month activities included health talks and a Happy Class outreach (visit to children suffering from cancer in the Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaounde). The awareness walk through some streets in Yaounde assembled young children, young people and adults. We are grateful to God that the day passed off well and there was massive participation,” explained Ruth-Grace Ngo Nyobe, President-founder of Mori’ sChild. 

Reference Treatment Centres 
“Mori ‘sChild is an association that supports the treatment of children suffering from cancer. During the walk, we took time to sensitise the public on the three childhood cancer treatment reference centres in Cameroon - the Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaounde; Mbingo Baptist Hospital near Bamenda in the North West Region; and the Protestant Hospital in Ngaoubela, Tibati in Adamawa Region – all with which we work,” Ruth-Grace said.

Reconnecting Patients With Usual Environment  
“We have since gone beyond ensuring proper treatment of children affected by cancer. We also focus on the living conditions of sick children and their carer-families while they receive treatment in hospital. We help sick children to reconnect with their usual environment by receiving lessons in hospital, and engaging in leisure and cultural activities. Childhood cancers are different from cancers in adults because they do not have clearly identifiable causes like smoking, alcohol....,” Ruth-Grace pointed out.

Keep Your Eyes Open!
“Cancer is like any other disease that kills many people. It develops in children discretely. My advice to parents is to pay great attention to the health of their children because cancer signs and symptoms are like those of other diseases – vomiting, high fever....,” Martinien said. “I was diagnosed with cancer of the blood in November 2013 at the age of 15-16 years when I was in Lower Sixth. I had to miss school for a year to receive intensive treatment in the Chantal Biya Foundation in Yaounde that lasted a year and half. 

Great Family Support 
“My mother stood by me and I came to understand and accept my health situation. This helped in my treatment and recovery. Today, at the age of 26, I am quite normal, fully recovered from cancer as I live a normal life like other people. This is why I identify and stand by people suffering from cancer. Many people suffer from cancer, but do not have the right information on where to seek treatment. This is because cancer has become a taboo subject,” Martinien Ateba said.     

Signs, Symptoms 
According Mathurin Aime Tchapga, a State Registered Nurse with Nicolas Barre Hospital, Yaounde, who also took part in the walk, childhood cancer signs and symptoms include pains, high fever and sudden, unexplained weight loss. Parents who notice these signs should, without delay, take their children to hospital for consultation and treatment. 

Cameroon Prevalence Rate
“The prevalence of childhood cancers in Cameroon is about one in every 1,000 cases of people consulted. Generally, parents bring children to hospital when the situation is already serious. Treatment is facilitated by first diagnosing the type of childhood cancer, and then determining the treatment to be administered. Childhood cance...