Mind the Gap: Improving Pediatric Cancer Care in Developing Countries
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Despite the fact that the majority of childhood cancer cases occur in the developing world, pediatric oncology in developing countries has not been afforded the ground breaking advances and successes that are available in developed countries. It is an underestimated global child health concern, and the factors contributing to the two-tiered cancer outcome profile between developed and developing countries are complex and expansive. There are some initiatives in place, such as the twinning program, that are successfully improving cancer treatment in resource-limited regions, but more international advocacy is needed to make state of the art cancer therapy available to all children.
RÉSUMÉ
Bien que la majorité des cas de cancers pédiatriques se produisent dans des pays en voie de développement, l’oncologie pédiatrique dans ces pays n’a pas pu profiter des avancées révolutionnaires qui sont accessibles dans les pays développés. Cela est un problème de santé pédiatrique mondiale sous-estimé, et les facteurs contribuant au profil à deux paliers des taux de survie du cancer entre les pays développés et ceux en voie de développement sont complexes et de grande ampleur. Il y a des initiatives en place, tels les programmes de jumelage, qui améliorent avec succès le traitement du cancer dans les régions possédant des ressources limitées, mais plus de défense internationale des droits des enfants est nécessaire pour assurer la disponibilité des toutes dernières thérapies contre le cancer pour tous les enfants.
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