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