Islamabad, Feb 16 (NationPress) Approximately 10,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in Pakistan annually, yet less than 30 percent manage to survive due to factors such as delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment facilities, and financial constraints, health experts revealed during an awareness session, according to local media reports on Monday.

During a "Health Wise" session focused on childhood cancer held on Sunday, which was collaboratively organized by the Indus Hospital and Health Network, experts pointed out that around 400,000 children and adolescents globally are diagnosed with cancer each year, with nearly 80 percent of these cases originating from low and middle-income countries, as reported by Pakistani daily The Express Tribune.

In developed nations, the survival rate for cancer patients ranges from 80-85 percent; however, these rates are significantly lower in developing countries due to delays in detection and insufficient access to specialized care.

Dr. Naeem Jabbar, a Consultant Pediatric Haematology-Oncology specialist, indicated that most childhood cancers can be effectively treated if timely intervention is provided.

"Unlike cancers in adults, the majority of childhood cancers lack a clearly defined cause and are not associated with lifestyle choices. With timely and appropriate treatment, cure rates can reach as high as 85 percent," he stated.

Dr. Jabbar emphasized that the low survival rate in Pakistan is primarily due to delays in recognizing symptoms, lack of supportive care, a shortage of trained professionals, limited access to specialized centers, and high abandonment rates for treatment. The most prevalent childhood cancers include lymphoma, brain and spinal tumors, bone tumors, leukemia, soft tissue sarcomas, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, and retinoblastoma, as reported by The Express Tribune.

Experts highlighted that cancer patients have treatment options including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy, which can be effective when initiated promptly.

Responding to media inquiries, Dr. Shumail Ashraf, a Consultant Pediatric Oncology expert and Executive Director of the Medical Services Directorate, noted that the Pediatric Haematology-Oncology Department in Karachi receives approximately 1,000 new cases each year. Since 2014, over 16,000 children have been treated, with around 1,300 currently undergoing treatment.

Experts reinforced the importance of early diagnosis in saving lives and urged parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and the media to work collaboratively to raise awareness, ensuring every child receives a fair opportunity for survival.