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13 September 2022 | Story Prof Jan du Plessis and André Damons | Photo Istock
Prof_Jan-DuPlessis
Prof Jan du Plessis is the Head of the Paediatric Oncology Unit at the University of the Free State (UFS).

A post on Facebook by a bereaved parent of a young child who tragically died of cancer that reads: “I want my old life back, the one with my child in it”, is unfortunately still the sad reality that many families face, even though in developed countries the overall survival rate for childhood cancer is now over 80%. For some types of cancer and in developing countries such as South Africa, the rate is much lower. There are some childhood cancers for which there is no treatment and which are uniformly fatal. 

Another harsh reality, according to Prof Jan du Plessis, Head of the Paediatric Oncology Unit at the University of the Free State (UFS), is that some of those who do survive cancer can go on to suffer long-term (sometimes life-long) health issues as a result of their treatment. Almost all cancer treatments used in children today were actually developed for adults. Most of these treatments (such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy) target all fast-growing cells (not just cancer cells), and this leads to harsh side-effects in young, growing bodies. 

Prof du Plessis says the need for more effective and safer treatments for children is urgent. Despite better outcomes for children diagnosed with cancer, some do not survive. Currently, between 800 to a 1 000 South African children are diagnosed with cancer annually. However, it’s estimated that half of the children with cancer in South Africa are never diagnosed, according to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA)

Different types of Childhood Cancer

Children can get many different types of cancer. Some of the most common childhood cancers are:
• Leukaemia – cancer of the blood and bone marrow, which is the most common childhood cancer.
• Brain cancer – cancer that grows in the brain which is the second most common childhood cancer. It kills more children than any other type of cancer.
• Neuroblastoma & Nephroblastoma – the most common solid tumours diagnosed in children under the age of five.
• Sarcoma – a cancer that grows in the bones and connective tissues of the body.
• Lymphoma – cancer that develops in the lymphatic system.

St Siluan Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer:

According to CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa, research showed that an ongoing awareness campaign on the early warning signs was needed to improve the rate of referrals at an earlier stage of the disease. It is for this reason that 15 February (International Childhood Cancer Day), and the month of September, that marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, are important for awareness. 

“It is not possible to prevent cancer in children, but significant improvements can be made in their lives by detecting cancer early and avoiding delays in care. A correct diagnosis is important to treat children with cancer because each cancer involves a specific treatment regimen that may include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

“To improve early diagnosis we try to educate the public/students on the early warning signs of childhood cancer. We use the St Siluan Warning Signs for Childhood Cancer,” explains Prof Du Plessis. 

S – Seek medical help early for ongoing symptoms
I – White spot in the eye, new squint, sudden blindness or bulging eyeball
L – Lump on the stomach, pelvis, head, arms, legs, testicle or glands
U – Unexplained fever present for more than two weeks, weight loss, fatigue, pale appearance, easy bruising and bleeding
A – Aching bones, joints, back and easy fractures
N – Neurological signs, a change in walk, balance or speech, regression, continuous headaches with / without vomiting and enlarged head

According Prof du Plessis, his hope is to diagnose these kids early, the earlier they are diagnosed, the less treatment they are exposed. It is amazing to witness how the cancer kids adapt to their new normal and reality, says Prof Du Plessis. 

“They play soccer in the corridor, not in the park. One in fact learnt to walk in the hospital. Nurses and doctors become their new family. Their joy, strength and resilience is remarkable. Their laughter will make your heart melt. Your life will be forever changed, seeing a child fight cancer.”

News Archive

“Deploy your education and not connections,” Chancellor tells graduates
2012-05-16

 

Qwaqwa Autumn Graduation
Photo: Thabo Kessah
16 May 2012

Our Qwaqwa Campus conferred 424 degrees, diplomas and certificates at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony held on 12 May 2012.

Amongst the degrees conferred were two doctorates in Polymer Science, two Master’s of Arts in Geography and African Languages, respectively, five Master’s of Science degrees in Physics (3) and Polymer Science (2) and 37 honours degrees in Education, Zoology, Physics, Botany and Polymer Science.

In their congratulatory messages, both the Vice-Rector: Institutional Affairs, Prof. Teuns Verschoor, and the Chancellor, Dr Khotso Mokhele, challenged the graduates to start focusing their attention beyond their graduation on what they both referred to as “the real world”.

“Graduation ceremonies are a fantastic event, but you must never lose sight of appreciating the support given by those around you,” said Dr Mokhele.

“This hall was full of shouting and yes, you must bask in that glory, knowing that you have achieved part of your goals. Yes, this is your moment, so shine. You deserve it. You have earned it.”

“However, this noise also means you must go out there and face the real world. You are graduating in a model country on how people can reconcile, despite their painful and divided past. You deserve all the accolades, but that model country is disappearing before your eyes. How can you mess up what Mandela, Biko, Sobukwe, Nardine Gordimer lived and fought for? How can you mess up such a good thing?” Dr Mokhele asked of an attentive audience that included proud parents and siblings, as well as educators and learners from the Thabo Mofutsanyana District.

“Go out there and deploy your education and not your connections, as these are embedded in corruption. Go out there and help get rid of the patronage system where hard-workers are more likely to be constructively dismissed as they stand in the way of those with corrupt tendencies. Save this country from becoming another Zimbabwe. Let us do whatever it takes to save this country. Let these matriculants who are here today want to walk that red carpet with pride in the next few years,”,said Dr Mokhele.

Dignitaries in attendance included the former Chief Minister of the former Qwaqwa homeland, Dr T K Mopeli; the Executive Mayor of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, Councillor Tjhetane Mofokeng; Dr SWF Moloi (Thabo Mofutsanyana Education District) and representatives from various government departments.
 

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