# Breaking barriers and saving lives: overcoming stigmas and enhancing childhood cancer awareness in South Africa

## TL;DR

This paper discusses the need to reduce stigmas and increase awareness of childhood cancer in South Africa to improve early diagnosis and survival rates.

## Contribution

The paper emphasizes integrating traditional health practitioners and civil society in awareness campaigns to address stigmas and improve early diagnosis.

## Key findings

- South Africa has a low childhood cancer diagnosis rate compared to global expectations.
- Late diagnosis is linked to myths about contagion and inheritance.
- Collaborative initiatives with traditional practitioners and advocates help reduce stigma and improve awareness.

## Abstract

There is a critical need for overcoming stigmas and enhancing awareness of childhood cancer in South Africa, where the underreporting and late diagnosis of cases significantly impact survival rates. Despite the global increase in childhood cancer cases, South Africa's statistics reveal a stark contrast, with only 70–80 children diagnosed per million, far below the expected incidence. The WHO's Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer aims for a 60% survival rate by 2030, highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues. South Africa’s late diagnosis of childhood cancer is impacted by prevalent myths surrounding childhood cancer, such as misconceptions about contagion and inheritance, which hinder early diagnosis and treatment compliance. The integration of traditional health practitioners into awareness campaigns is emphasised as a vital strategy for increasing referrals and reducing stigma. The role of civil society and patient advocates in implementing educational initiatives, including the Siluan Early Warning Signs of Cancer in Children, to improve awareness among healthcare workers and communities, acts as a catalyst for progress. These initiatives, often collaborative nature, undertaken by civil society and patient advocate groups to enhance knowledge, reduce stigma and create pilot initiatives build awareness in communities and kick-start political will to develop policies that can ensure a supportive environment for children with cancer and their families.