Mulugeta Ayalew Yimer: Urgent Need for Practical Strategies to Reduce Treatment Abandonment for Children with Cancer
Mulugeta Ayalew Yimer, Clinical Fellow Pediatric Hematology Oncology at The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, shared a post on LinkedIn about a recent article he and his colleagues co-authored, adding:
“New Publication
I’m excited to share our latest publication from the CANCaRe Africa collaboration: ‘Significant Impact of Treatment Abandonment on Survival of Children With ‘Common and Curable’ Cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa.’
This multi-center prospective study followed 366 children across seven hospitals in six sub-Saharan African countries, focusing on five priority cancers included in the World Health Organization Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC).
Key Findings:
- Overall 2-year EFS was 40.8%, increasing to 59.2% when treatment abandonment was censored.
- Treatment abandonment affected 1 in 4 children, and was especially high in retinoblastoma (38%).
- If abandonment could be prevented, survival outcomes could approach the global GICC target of 60%, even in resource-limited settings
These findings highlight the urgent need for practical strategies to reduce treatment abandonment and improve survival outcomes for children with cancer in LMICs.
It was a privilege to work with committed colleagues across the region. Thanks to all the partners, institutions, and families who contributed to this study.”
Title: Significant Impact of Treatment Abandonment on Survival of Children With “Common and Curable” GICC Index Cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa—A Multicenter Prospective CANCaRe Africa Study
Authors: Mulugeta Yimer, Diriba Fufa, Festus Njuguna, Cecilia Mdoka, George Chagaluka, Elizabeth Molyneux, Francine Kouya, Lillian Sung, Vivian Paintsil, Barnabas Atwiine, Trijn Israels
Read the Full article on Pediatric Blood & Cancer
CANCaRe Africa shared this post, adding:
“Local evidence matters.
This is one of the few multi-centre, prospective studies in childhood cancer in sub-Saharan Africa with sufficient active follow-up to determine survival.
Survival is still far too low—about 40% for these common and curable cancers.
Because treatment abandonment is largely preventable, survival could increase to around 60% if families are supported to complete treatment.
Together, we can change this. Let’s continue to join forces—clinicians, researchers, families, funders and partners—to reduce abandonment and improve survival for children with cancer in Africa.”
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