Spain’s Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AEPap) is emphasizing the critical role of primary care pediatricians in the early detection of childhood cancer, ahead of International Childhood Cancer Day on February 15th. The organization stresses that initial detection doesn’t begin in hospitals, but within the primary care pediatrician’s office.
With approximately 1,500 recent cases of childhood and adolescent cancer diagnosed annually in Spain, early diagnosis is linked to a global survival rate exceeding 80%, a figure specialists aim to improve. Despite being a relatively rare disease, cancer remains a leading cause of death from illness in minors, according to AEPap.
Common cancer types in Spain include leukemia, brain tumors, lymphomas, and solid tumors. A key challenge for medical professionals is the often non-specific nature of symptoms, which can easily be mistaken for common infections. AEPap has aligned with a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics defending the rights of minors in cancer care.
The AEPap has also expressed concern regarding the potential exclusion of pediatricians from Spain’s Primary Care Plan, arguing that the final document should be revised to ensure their inclusion. A downloadable guide for early detection of childhood cancers is available through AEPap, covering leukemia, lymphomas, central nervous system tumors, neuroblastoma, Wilms’ tumor, bone tumors, soft tissue tumors, and retinoblastoma.
The organization’s focus on early detection comes as the medical community continues to refine diagnostic approaches and improve survival rates for young cancer patients.
