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16 September 2024 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied
Dr Mampoi Jonas and Prof Jan Du Plessis
Dr Mampoi Jonas, senior lecturer in Paediatric Oncology and Prof Jan Du Plessis, Head of the Paediatric Oncology Unit at the University of the Free State (UFS).

A campaign like Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is vital in creating awareness and educating people about the early signs and symptoms of certain cancers. This can significantly improve the survival rate of young patients. More than 50% of people diagnosed with cancer live for more than five years, and some types of cancer have survival rates as high as 90%.

This is according to Prof Jan Du Plessis, Head of the Paediatric Oncology Unit, and Dr Mampoi Jonas, senior lecturer in Paediatric Oncology, at the University of the Free State (UFS).

“Early diagnosis is crucial because early-stage cancer is more responsive to treatment and less likely to be fatal. Due to the rarity of childhood cancer, many children get misdiagnosed or diagnosed too late with advanced stage disease. The delayed detection and diagnosis diminish the chances of successful treatment.

“Cancer awareness educates families, communities, primary-care nurses and doctors about the early signs and symptoms of certain cancers. When people are aware of these, they are more likely to be on the lookout for them when children present with suspicious clinical symptoms and signs. This also gives parents the confidence to seek help early and even make people better able to support those with the disease once a diagnosis is made,” say the paediatric oncologists.

Recorded incidences on the rise

Though childhood cancer is rare, representing only 1.2% of all cancers worldwide, the recorded incidences are increasing. In the US cancer is the number one cause of death among children, while more than 100 000 children worldwide die because of cancer.

Prof Du Plessis says there are more than 12 major types of childhood cancers and multiple subtypes. The most common types are leukaemia, lymphoma (tumours that begin in the lymph glands), brain tumours, nephroblastoma (cancer of the kidneys) and soft tissue sarcomas. Most cancers in children are thought to develop as a result of mutations in genes that lead to uncontrolled cell growth and eventually cancer.

According to Dr Jonas, most cancers in children are thought to develop because of mutations in genes that lead to uncontrolled cell growth and eventually cancer. Although environmental pollutants have been implicated in some cancers, our experience has been that most paediatric cancers rather occur sporadically.

The reasons for the increase of reported incidence of cancer in children, could be to the increase in population numbers and better awareness of childhood cancers. Another reason might be that more children are being diagnosed who were previously misdiagnosed, explains Prof Du Plessis.

Treatments

Childhood cancers are treated with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy under the care of a paediatric oncologist. Not much can be done about the genetic mutations, but parents can ensure that their children stay safe in the sun (slip, slop, slap campaign – slip on a shirt, slop on some suncream and slap on a hat), get their children vaccinated against HPV infection, help their children stay active and keep a healthy weight and talk to them about smoking.

Prof Du Plessis says the South African paediatric oncology community are currently busy with a few research studies regarding standardising treatment protocols for certain childhood cancers. This is to find out how our children are responding to these protocols and to see if there are different factors affecting the outcomes of South African children. These protocols are based on international treatment protocols with a few adjustments for local circumstances and resources.

They are involved with the Hodgkins lymphoma, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, germ cell tumour studies and contributed to a research study evaluating the nutritional status and interventions to improve the nutritional status of local patients. Registrars presented local (Bloemfontein) data at an international conference (SIOP Africa) on hepatoblastomas and osteosarcomas.

“For many childhood cancer may not be a priority or something they would like to think about. Unfortunately for many of my patient’s parents the truth is that the day before their children were diagnosed with cancer, they were also not a cancer parent. However, their lives changed for ever with these four words: ‘Your child has cancer’.

“Childhood cancer is more than chemo and no hair. It is rather about resilience, strength, hope, family, courage, cuddles, and bravery. Your life will be changed for ever if you have ever seen a child fight cancer. Their smiles will make your heart melt and make you realise the importance of the simple things in life,” declare Prof Du Plessis and Dr Jonas.

Early warning signs for parents

The Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (CHOC) has a campaign which emphasises the importance of recognising the early warning signs of childhood cancer. They use Siluan’s Early Warning Signs to raise awareness and promote early diagnosis which are:

• 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 over 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 an enlarged head

While these symptoms can be subtle or easily attributed to other causes, it’s important to consult a doctor if they persist or worsen. If you notice any of these symptoms in a child or teen, seek professional medical help promptly. Early detection of cancer saves lives in both children and teens.

News Archive

Access to the Bloemfontein Campus
2015-04-02

Access Control Made Easy

The first phase of access control at the University of the Free State (UFS) was implemented in August 2014. The aim of this initiative is to tighten security measures on the Bloemfontein Campus.
 
Since November 2014, access control has been implemented at all five gates on the Bloemfontein Campus. These are:

  • The Main gate in Nelson Mandela Drive (Gate 1)
  • The gate in DF Malherbe Drive (Gate 5)
  • The gate in Wynand Mouton Drive (Gate 3) 
  • The gate in Furstenburg Street (Gate 4)
  • The gate in Badenhorst Street (Gate 2)

Here is some useful information about the access control system:

1. Remember your access card when you enter the campus

Dual-function cards (with distance reader compatibility) will make your movement through the gates more convenient. The university’s access system works automatically with remote or swipe action. Please make sure that you drive close to the reader or, better still, get the dual-frequency card to manage the distance between your vehicle and the remote card reader.

As of 23 March 2015, the extra security staff, who have been assisting at the gates since the implementation of access control on the Bloemfontein Campus, are no longer manning the card readers at the gates. Therefore, persons without cards will be able to enter the campus only at the one gate in DF Malherbe Drive where the Visitors Centre is situated. They will be referred to the Visitors Centre, where a day visitor’s card will be issued to them. You will need to produce a formal identification document (e.g. ID book, driver's licence).

Security will continue their normal duties at the guardhouses for the various gates on the campus.

2. Where do I get an access card?

You can apply at the university’s Visitors Centre front desk by producing your positive identification (ID book/passport/driver’s licence) and proof of payment for your access card.

You will then be directed to the Thakaneng Bridge where you will be able to collect your access card.

  • Go to the Cashier on the Thakaneng Bridge and pay your R65 for the dual-frequency card
  • Take your receipt, together with your existing card (if you have one), to the Card Division on the Thakaneng Bridge (next to Mellins Optometrists)
  • A new photo will be taken of you at the Card Office for your new card. Your new card will then be issued immediately.

Currently, there is a sufficient stock of the dual-frequency cards available at the Card Division on the Thakaneng Bridge.
 
Alternatively, you can apply online for your access card: http://apps.ufs.ac.za/cardapplication/application.aspx

Make sure you have the following documents ready to attach when completing the online form:

  • Copy of positive identification: ID/Driver's Licence/Passport
  • Signed declaration (http://supportservices.ufs.ac.za/dl/Userfiles/Documents/00007/4668_eng.pdf) by your service provider/employer (if you are a service provider) or a letter of confirmation from your spouse/partner/relative/coach/relevant UFS staff member or student in cases where you have to visit, pick-up or drop off your spouse/partner/relative frequently on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

Cost: R65 for a long-term card and free of charge for short-term visits and conference delegates. Pay at the Cashier on the Thakaneng Bridge or at Absa Bank, Account Number: 1 570 8500 71, Ref: 1 413 07670 0198.

3. Cutoff Date: 7 April 2015

After 7 April 2015, no pedestrian or motorist will be able to enter the campus without a valid access card. Persons without access cards will have to enter the campus at the gate in DF Malherbe Drive where the Visitors Centre is situated. You will then be referred to the Visitors Centre where you will have to apply for a day visitor’s card. It is important to note that no one will be able to enter the campus at the Visitors Centre without a formal identification document (e.g. ID book, driver's licence).

4. Dual-frequency card simplifies access to the campus

It is important to have your card ready on entering the campus.

This card will simplify access to the campus considerably, as the card reader will read the card when it is held in a vertical position at the driver’s side window in the direction of the distance reader. Please do not place the card on the dashboard. There is an antenna wire in the card. If the card is placed on the dashboard, you are not exposing the card surface to the reader, and that might influence the antenna’s response to the reader.

Remember, the distance between the reader and the boom is only a few metres.  If you approach the reader at a ’high’ speed, you are not allowing the system to identify your card, match it to the entry in the database, check if you are ‘legal’, and then send a signal to open the boom. 

All five gates are equipped with distance readers. Within the next three weeks, two extra distance readers will also be installed at the Main Gate in Nelson Mandela Drive.
 
Please note that the dual-frequency card is needed only when you enter the campus with a vehicle and you want to activate the distance reader. All the older cards will continue to work at the tag readers. 

5. Use alternative gates

At times, some of the gates carry more traffic than others, especially with the peak morning and afternoon traffic. Gates with less traffic include:

  • The gate in Badenhorst Street
  • The gate in DF Malherbe Drive
  • The gate in Nelson Mandela Drive

You are welcome to make use of one of these alternative gates.

6. Pedestrians

No pedestrian will be able to enter the Bloemfontein Campus without a valid access card. If you have left your card at home or have lost it, you should enter the campus at the gate in DF Malherbe Drive where the Visitors Centre is situated. You will be referred to the Visitors Centre where you can apply for a day visitor’s card. You will still need to produce a formal identification document (e.g. ID book, driver's licence).

7. More information

Email: visitorscentre@ufs.ac.za
Visitors Centre front desk: Tel: +27 51 401 7766 (Mondays-Fridays 07:45-16:30)
Card Division: Tel: +27 51 401 2799 (Mondays-Fridays 07:45-16:30)
Protection Services duty room: +27 51 401 2634 (24 hours)

 

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