THIRTEEN children are currently receiving cancer treatment at Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital, with late presentation being one of the biggest challenges facing Fiji’s paediatric oncology specialists.
CWM Hospital Paediatric Oncology Unit registrar Dr Raynold Waisele said Fiji recorded between 20 and 30 new childhood cancer cases annually, with many children arriving after the disease had advanced.
“One of the biggest challenges that we face as pediatric oncologists in Fiji is that most of our patients present to us at a later stage, or when the cancer has advanced,” he said.
Speaking during the WOWS Kids walkathon at Albert Park in Suva yesterday, Dr Waisele said childhood cancers included leukaemia, kidney and eye cancers, brain tumours and bone cancers.
He said warning signs could easily be mistaken for common childhood illnesses, making awareness and early assessment important.
“The signs and symptoms of cancer in children are more specific, meaning they can mimic other illnesses,” he added.
Parents and caregivers should seek medical attention for unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, abnormal lumps or bumps, easy bruising and uncontrolled bleeding.
Dr Waisele said some children presented so late that treatment options were limited and only palliative care could be offered.
He urged families to seek medical advice early when they noticed unusual or persistent symptoms.
The awareness event featured a 4km walk around Albert Park and a Zumba session with Josh, bringing together families, health workers and supporters to highlight childhood cancer and the importance of early detection.
