Efforts are needed from both the community and healthcare organizations to combat the awareness gap and fear surrounding pediatric cancer in the country. A prominent cancer specialist has highlighted a significant challenge in managing pediatric cancer, which stems from a general lack of awareness and the fear associated with the disease.
Dr. Siobhan Cross, a pediatric cancer expert from Christchurch, New Zealand, has witnessed firsthand how misconceptions and stigma affect cancer patients and their families. She leads the Twinning Program for pediatric oncology, collaborating with Christchurch Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
According to Dr. Cross, many parents struggle with questions about why their child has developed cancer, often mistakenly attributing it to personal fault or superstitions, particularly in areas with limited access to formal education. “In some communities with less education, parents may wonder if they’ve been cursed or if it’s someone else’s fault that this has happened, which is simply not true,” Dr. Cross stated. She emphasized that cancer is not caused by anything the parents or the child did; rather, it arises from random genetic mutations.
This fundamental misunderstanding can intensify the emotional and psychological burden on families already facing the challenges of a child’s serious illness. Dr. Cross noted that the stigma surrounding cancer often worsens fear and misinformation, and the mere mention of cancer can induce dread and isolation among affected families. “It’s not unique to Fiji, and even with advanced medical knowledge, it remains a frightening prospect,” she commented.
Dr. Cross explained that the stigma arises from not knowing why the cancer occurred, leading people to wrongly believe they must have done something to cause it. While treatment options have improved significantly since the early days of local care, there persist gaps in diagnosing and treating all pediatric cancer cases. It is estimated that around 15 percent of cases may go undiagnosed, with some children potentially losing their lives to unknown causes. Therefore, enhancing awareness and education is deemed vital.
Under the Twinning Program, Dr. Cross and her team are working not only on cancer treatment protocols but also conducting educational sessions for medical personnel in Fiji and actively engaging with communities through the work of WOWS Kids Fiji. This collaborative approach aims to demystify cancer, educate families about the nature of the disease, and promote early detection and treatment.