140 children diagnosed with cancer annually in PNG; brain tumors on the rise
Approximately 140 children in Papua New Guinea are diagnosed with cancer every year, a trend that has remained consistent for the past 14 years.
Dr. Benjamin Daur, a Paediatric Oncologist at Port Moresby General Hospital [PMGH], revealed these statistics during an NBC National Radio health segment this week.
Dr. Daur said the figure represents a significant burden for the country, especially when compared to regional neighbors like Tonga and New Caledonia, which record only about five cases annually.
While childhood cancer typically affects individuals from infancy up to 19 years of age, Dr. Daur revealed that the youngest patient treated at the national referral hospital was just three months old.
He identified the six most prevalent types of childhood cancer in PNG include Leukemia, which is the cancer of the blood, retinoblastoma [eye], wilms' tumour [kidney], Lymphomas [cancer of the glands - commonly in the neck or abdomen], and brain tumors, a category Dr. Daur said is becoming increasingly common.
He said early diagnosis is the most critical factor in successful treatment. However, he acknowledged that limited access to specialized health services for families living outside of Port Moresby remains a major hurdle.
He urged parents and caregivers to be the first line of defense, as they know their children’s habits best.
"If you think something is wrong, you need to get your child checked," Dr. Daur said. "Things like persistent fever every week, recurring illness after finishing antibiotics, or constant pain are red flags. If any part of the body is swollen, whether the abdomen or the head, or if a child has daily headaches, these are often the first signs."
Currently, children diagnosed with cancer at PMGH undergo a rigorous recovery process, receiving hospital treatment for an average of six months and undergoing chemotherapy sessions once a month.
Dr. Daur said ignoring small symptoms often leads to children presenting at the hospital in the late stages of the disease, when treatment is much more difficult.