Living with childhood cancer

Cancers in children are not very common. Cancers can affect children from as young as a month old to adolescents and young adults.

Childhood cancers are an example of what medical experts describe as chronic diseases which usually takes months to many years to cure.

Do not self-medicate or visit a drugs store/pharmacy or prayer camp when you see any of these signs: fever, feeling unwell/sick, appears pale and tired and any bleeding 

For instance, it takes two-and-a-half years to treat leukaemia (blood cancer).

Childhood cancer treatment with medicines (drugs or chemicals) is called chemotherapy. There are other types of cancer treatments, including radiation therapy; immunotherapy and surgery. Some children with cancer may require one or all types of treatment.

Anyone may meet a child undergoing cancer treatment at some point in his or her long journey to a cure. Knowledge about cancer treatments may help us appreciate what children with cancer and their families experience daily. They will need our support to battle this “emperor of all maladies” called cancer.

Avoid self-medication of any form while active on chemotherapy

“CHEMO”-Therapy facts

Chemotherapy is the administration (giving) of a combination of medicines according to specific guidelines and instructions (protocols) by trained cancer specialists, called oncologists, mostly in hospitals.

Chemotherapy is given in phases called cycles, comprising daily treatments for a number of days repeated periodically, commonly, three-weekly.

Wash hands with soap and running water always and especially after visiting the toilet

Both cancer and chemotherapy can cause three major side effects, such as the destruction of the bone marrow (blood manufacturing ‘factory’) leading to decreased production of:

1. Red blood cells (RBCs) causing anaemia or low blood level that can be treated with blood transfusions;

2. Platelets (‘glue’ or ‘cement’ that bind blood cells together so that we do not bleed out which can be corrected with blood transfusions)

3. White blood cells (WBCs) which are infection-fighting ‘soldiers’ in the body. They cannot be replaced through transfusions. Strict measures (including isolating the child) are instituted to protect children with cancer from catching infections.

Antibiotics are started for them at the slightest suspicion of an infection as an emergency in the hospital.

Other side effects of chemotherapy are temporary hair loss and skin darkening, nausea and vomiting.

Treatment may cause your hair to fall off but they will surely grow back after treatment

Danger signs and advice

The aim of anti-cancer treatment is to make the child or patient better by the end of treatment. Sometimes, cancer treatment can also make us sick before we get better. These require immediate attention and/or treatment at the nearest hospital.

Do not self-medicate or visit a drugs store/pharmacy or prayer camp when you see any of these signs: Fever, axillary temperature - 37.5˚C checked twice, an hour apart, the child is warm/hot to touch, the child feels unwell/sick, unusually sleepy, cannot get out of bed or has a sore mouth, is drooling or he or she is unable to swallow.

Other symptoms are vomiting, headache, bone pain, especially at night, paleness, fast breathing, a fast pulsating heartbeat and inactivity.

Nose bleeds, blood in the stool, bloody urine or dark urine, bruising blood-shot eyes, bleeding gums, vomiting blood and minor injuries resulting in uncontrollable bleeds or other symptoms.

Avoid inserting medications via the bottom such as rectal paracetamol in case of fever, at all times, while your child is on chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (x-rays to treat cancer)

Things to note

Avoid crowded places and events such as places of worship, prayer camps, schools, trips, market places, funerals, etc, while on intensive phase of chemotherapy.

Your doctor, the Oncologist, will advise you on when it is safe and appropriate to join such activities while on active anti-cancer treatment.

Remember, ‘chemo’ weakens the body’s soldiers and its ability to fight infections.

Even a ‘harmless’ common cold can be deadly!

Avoid inserting medications via the anus, such as rectal paracetamol in case of fever, at all times, while your child is on chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (x-rays to treat cancer). That should not even happen in a hospital setting.

Should you choose to administer paracetamol prior to visiting a hospital in case of fever and/or pain, give it orally. Never rectally!

Ask your parents to take you to the doctor when you are not feeling well.
No self-medication
No chemical seller or pharmacy shops

Avoid self-medication of any form while active on chemotherapy. Specifically: pain killers such as brufen, diclofenac, aspirin; colds and flu medicines; herbal preparations; acupuncture, vigorous massage, homoeopathic care, blood tonics and multivitamin preparations, immunisations, vaccines and injections.

Your doctor will tell you if you are to avoid certain foods at specific points of treatment.

Wash hands with soap and running water always and, especially, after visiting the toilet.

Yes, treatment may cause your hair to fall off, but they will surely grow back after sometime.

Ask your parents to take you to the doctor when you are not feeling well.

No self-medication, no chemical seller or pharmacy shops!
 
The writer is with the Konfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi.

Writer’s E-mail: oseitutlaw@gmail.com