Recognising the symptoms of childhood cancer

September is recognised as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a period dedicated to highlighting the bravery of children battling cancer, and Tygerberg Hospital advises families to remain vigilant regarding potential symptoms.

Professor Anel van Zyl, paediatric oncologist at Tygerberg Hospital, said most children with cancer can be cured by modern therapy given in paediatric oncology units.

“Parents, caregivers, and the community should be alert to persistent symptoms such as unexplained fevers, weight loss, fatigue, pallor, or lumps and swellings. If a child shows signs like vision changes, bone pain, headaches, or persistent bleeding, they must be evaluated urgently. Early detection saves lives,” she said.

She emphasised that after finishing treatment, it is important for survivors to attend a survivorship clinic to monitor their development and to manage any complications that may occur.

Four-year-old Stanton Saaiman from Delft was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in January 2024. 

By then, the cancer had already spread to his bones and bone marrow. Despite the challenges, Stanton responded well to chemotherapy and underwent surgery and radiotherapy.

This month, the hospital said in a statement, Stanton will complete his treatment and continue his journey at the Tygerberg Hospital childhood cancer survivorship clinic.

His mother, Alethia, said: “When I heard the words stage 4 cancer, my world collapsed. But Stanton was so strong that I decided never to cry again. His bravery gave us strength as a family. In February, when we celebrated that he was cancer-free, we held hands as a family to thank God for his faithfulness.”

If your child shows any of the warning signs of childhood cancer, it is important to seek medical help without delay:

• Start by visiting your nearest clinic or family doctor for an initial check-up.
•  If further investigation is required, your child will be referred to a district or regional hospital.
•  Children suspected of having cancer are referred to a specialist paediatric oncology unit, such as the one at Tygerberg Hospital, where diagnosis and treatment are provided.