Childhood cancers are rare diseases, affect 1 out of 600 children[1]. Their most common symptoms include weight loss, recurrent limb pain, persistent fever, frequent infections or skin lesions. They are not unequivocal i are often confused with other, more common childhood conditions, which often prolongs the time to make a correct diagnosis. And early diagnosis of cancer gives children up to an 80%[2] chance of recovery. Study social conducted on behalf of the Department of Oncology and Oncologic Surgery of Children and Adolescents at the Mother and Child Institute (IMiD) in early January this year. unequivocally indicates that Poles do not have sufficient knowledge about pediatric cancers. Moreover, as many as 20% of respondents are unable to name any symptom that could indicate an oncological disease. The (P)show your heart campaign, initiated by the IMiD's Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology and Oncologic Surgery, aims to increase knowledge in this area.
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Childhood cancer: third edition of (P)show your heart campaign tackling the issue is launched
Published Feb. 27, 2025 11:09
The onset of cancer in children is sometimes asymptomatic, very discreet, often unnoticed by parents, the patient himself, as well as doctors. For this reason, more than half of young patients are diagnosed with cancer at an advanced stage[3]. What symptoms should arouse oncological vigilance?
Non-specific symptoms - a challenge in diagnosis
The first symptoms of childhood cancers are often not cause for alarm. Symptoms such as weight loss, bone pain, enlarged lymph nodes or unusual skin lesions may indicate other childhood ailments. In young patients with recurrent fever or infections, such as ear infections, symptomatic treatment is often implemented, which affects the timing of diagnosis and thus the initiation of anticancer therapy.
- Although pediatric cancers are rare diseases, both parents and GPs should be aware of their occurrence and remain oncologically vigilant. Caregivers, as the people who know their child best, should report all worrisome symptoms to primary care physicians. Pediatricians, on the other hand, are advised to verify the original diagnosis and expand the diagnostics if the coordinated treatment is not working. It is better to perform one test too many to rule out a dangerous disease than to overlook its development. Early diagnosis often means the possibility of implementing less aggressive therapies, which translates into quality of life for the young patient," explains Professor Anna Raciborska, Head of the Department of Oncology and Oncologic Surgery of Children and Adolescents at the Mother and Child Institute.
Poles' knowledge of childhood cancer
The fact that cancer in children is rare may also translate into poor knowledge about it. In a public survey[4] conducted by the ABR SESTA agency and SYNO Poland on behalf of the Department of Oncology and Oncologic Surgery of Children and Adolescents of the IMiD, as many as 66% of adult Poles declare that they have little or no knowledge of childhood cancer, while 20% cannot name a single symptom that could indicate the disease.
Although the number of diagnosed cancers in children in Poland has remained at a similar level for several years (about 1,100-1200 cases are diagnosed each year), nearly half of the respondents (47%) believe that there has been a recent increase in the number of these cases, including 8% who are certain of this. Importantly, the majority of respondents (67%) would like to know more about pediatric cancers, including 24% who express an unequivocal willingness to deepen their knowledge in this area.
- Awareness of the symptoms of childhood cancers is crucial for quick diagnosis and, consequently, effective treatment. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of knowledge on this subject in Poland. This shows how important it is to educate the public, which will increase the onco-sensitivity of parents and doctors and allow early detection of alarming symptoms. It is therefore gratifying that the public shows a willingness to acquire knowledge on the subject. It is worth considering the introduction of such content to school curricula, in order to build health awareness from an early age," stresses Professor Anna Raciborska, Head of the Department of Oncology and Oncologic Surgery of Children and Adolescents at the Mother and Child Institute.
About the (P)show your heart campaign
The (P)show your heart public campaign, launched by the Department of Oncology and Oncologic Surgery of Children and Adolescents at the Mother and Child Institute, aims to raise public awareness of pediatric cancer. This year's third edition of the campaign pays special attention to symptoms that are not clear-cut and can be misinterpreted.
- Pediatric cancer is a difficult topic, but it should not be feared or avoided. By increasing knowledge, we can influence faster diagnosis and effective treatment of the youngest patients. It is worthwhile for parents and doctors and even children to know the symptoms and not to underestimate those, even seemingly harmless ones. Each of us can join in the educational activities and spread awareness. We encourage you to join the (P)show your heart campaign to help us reach the widest possible audience with key information. Together, we can make an impact on the health of the youngest. All it takes is one simple gesture and a little heart," says Joanna Pruban, a psycho-oncologist at the Mother and Child Institute.
As part of the (P)show your heart campaign, a spot was created featuring the Clinic's charges along with their caregivers. It shows the topic from the perspective of parents of children with cancer, whose diagnosis was delayed due to confusing symptoms. It also features guest appearances by Paulina Krupińska-Karpiel and Sebastian Karpiel-Bułecka, who were involved in this year's campaign. The video can be seen on the Internet, the Clinic's social media, on television, on multimedia media in PKP and in a network of independent cinemas across the country.
The cancer knowledge base is the campaign's website, www.pokazserce.pl, where you can find reliable and up-to-date information on symptoms, diagnosis, the treatment process or psychological support. There are also educational materials for doctors and teachers.
An important element of the campaign will also once again be a social media campaign, which began on February 15, International Children's Cancer Day, and will continue until the end of the month. It aims to reach as many users as possible with key information. Anyone can join, just add a photo of hands folded into a heart symbol to your social media profile, tag it with the hashtags #pokazserce and #onkoimid, and report on the symptoms of childhood cancer. Details along with a downloadable infographic are available on the (P)show your heart campaign page.
[1] https://www.dkms.pl/biuro-prasowe/1-na-600-dzieci-zachoruje-na-nowotwor
[2]https://imid.med.pl/pl/dzialalnosc-kliniczna/dzialkliniczna/kliniki/klinika-onkologii-i-chirurgii-onkologicznej/leczenie-guzow-kosci
[3]https://imid.med.pl/pl/dzialalnosc-kliniczna/dzialkliniczna/kliniki/klinika-onkologii-i-chirurgii-onkologicznej/leczenie-guzow-kosci?zsS_1=1&utm_source=chatgpt.com
[4] Pediatric cancer opinion survey conducted in January 2025 by ABR SESTA and SYNO Poland on behalf of the Department of Oncology and Oncologic Surgery of Children and Adolescents of the Mother and Child Institute.
Survey conducted using the CAWI technique on a sample of 1,000 Polish residents, representative by gender, age (18-64) and place of residence.
Source: press mat.
