Dr. Sandra Gboneme gave a presentation on childhood cancers. She discussed that childhood cancers are rare but the second leading cause of death in children. The most common types of childhood cancers are leukemias, bone cancers, and brain tumors. While some childhood cancers have known genetic or environmental causes, most of the causes are still unknown. Prevention efforts include avoiding radiation exposure during pregnancy, reducing alcohol and coffee intake during pregnancy, and promoting breastfeeding. Treatment involves chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.

1. For T.N.C.I O’clock.
By Dr. Gboneme Sandra E.

2. 
About the Moderator
 She is Dr Sandra Gboneme
 A medical Doctor and an
Entrepreneur
 She’s a public speaker and a
budding Health Volunteer.
 A graduate from the College of
Medicine, University of Lagos.
 She is also a Volunteer for TNCI.
 She is a Health Educator at Axa
Mansard...
 Founder NaijaGirlOnADiet.
 CEO EhuomaEssentials.
 Editor for Reviewnaija.com

3. 
 Introduction
 Incidence
 Types/Examples of Childhood cancers
 Causes of childhood cancers
 Risk factors
 Primary Prevention
 Secondary Prevention
 Tertiary Prevention
 Conclusion
Outline

4. 
 Childhood Cancer: A term used to describe cancers
that occur between birth and 15 years of age.
 Childhood cancers are very rare and may differ from
adult cancers in the way they grow and spread, how
they are treated, and how they respond to treatment.
 It’s also called pediatric cancer.
Introduction

5. 
 According to the 2006 US mortality data by National
Centre for health statics, cancer ranks number 2 out
of 10 leading causes of childhood deaths in the US
with accidents ranking as number 1.
 Globally, > 160,000 new cases are seen per year in
ages <15 years.
 >90,000 deaths per year in ages <15 years.
Incidence

6. 
 Cancer occurs more commonly in boys than girls, by
a ratio of around 6:5. This varies by tumor type; the
most striking excess is in lymphomas, which boys
are more than twice as likely to develop.
Incidence Contd:

7. 
 LEUKEMIAS:
ALL, ANLL
 BONE CANCERS:
OSTEOGENIC SARCOMA
 BRAIN TUMORS:
INFRATENTORIAL
SUPRATENTORIAL
 WILM’S TUMOR
Types of Childhood
Cancers.

8. 
 Identified familial and genetic factors
- 5-15%
 2. Known Environmental exposures & exogenous
factors
- <5-10%)
 3. UNKNOWN
- 75-90%
Causes of Childhood
Cancers

9. 
1. EXTERNAL AGENTS:
 Physical carcinogens:
 ionizing radiation (X-ray)
 non-ionizing radiation (electromagnetic fields, UV)
 Biological carcinogens:
 infections from viruses (Epstein Barr virus: Burkitt's
lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease;
 Hepatitis B: liver carcinoma; and HHV8 and HIV:
Kaposi's sarcoma)
Risk Factors for Childhood
Cancers

10. 
 Chemical carcinogens: tobacco: mothers who smoke
during pregnancy
 Pesticides, asbestos: parental occupation
 Aflatoxin, arsenic: food and drinking water
contaminants
 Drugs and medication: pregnant women treatment
(diethylstilboestrol: cell adenocarcinoma of the
vagina or cervix )
 Dietary constituents
Risk Factors Contd;

11. 
2. INTERNAL AGENTS:
 Inherited factors
 predisposition to particular familial diseases
 genetically determined features
Risk Factors Contd;

12. 
 Primary Prevention
 Secondary Prevention
 Tertiary Prevention
Prevention of Childhood
Cancers

13. 
 Here, our aim is to prevent cancers before they even
develop.
 This is quite difficult and research is still ongoing for
the best ways to combat the situation.
 However, the most useful and important form of
primary prevention as at recent times is to avoid
IONIZING RADIATION during early pregnancy.
Primary Prevention

14. 
 Some research has shown an increased risk of some
types of childhood cancers, majorly ALL with the
maternal consumption of Coffee. So a reduction in
the consumption of coffee in pregnancy may prove
beneficial.
 Maternal consumption of Alcohol during pregnancy
is also known to increase the risk of leukaiema in
children by reducing immune function. Avoiding
alcohol consumption may also prove beneficial.
Primary Prevention
Contd.

15. 
 Research has also shown the benefits of exclusive
breastfeeding in infancy. Feeding with formula as
early as 14 days after birth, alone or in combination
with breastmilk, is associated with an increased risk
of childhood ALL.
 Provision of HPV Vaccines.
Primary Prevention
Contd..

16. 
 In medically advanced countries like India,
childhood cancer prevention strategies are already in
place . This includes early screening practices
especially if there is a family history.
Secondary Prevention

17. 
 This involves treatment of already occurring cancer.
Usually the most common form of prevention we
practice in this part of the world.
 Due to late presentation.
Tertiary Prevention

18. 
 Chemotherapy-- such drugs as high dose
Methotrexate, adriamycin, bleomycin, actinomycinD,
ifosfamide, cyclophosphamide, and cisplatin.
 Surgery; depending on the type of cancer e.g
Osteogenic Carcinoma.
 Radiation
Tertiary Prevention

19. 
 Leukaemia is the commonest form of Childhood
cancer
 The incidence of childhood cancers keeps rising
daily.
 So far, research is ongoing to ensure the primary and
secondary prevention of childhood cancers.
 The commonest form of prevention in Nigeria is
Tertiary prevention, which is also difficult due to
financial constraint as chemotherapy is expensive.
Conclusion

20. 
FEB. 15th 2019