Myths and stigmas around childhood cancer can create a culture of silence that is not good for promoting diagnosis and accessing treatment. CHOC aims to continue to expand its reach into far-flung regions of the country, whilst growing the education campaign.
Here are some myths and stigmas around childhood cancer:
Myths and Stigmas
- Cancer is contagious.
- You can get cancer by playing or touching a cancer patient.
- Children cannot get cancer.
- Children do not get cancer because of their race and gender.
- Childhood cancer is the fault of the child or parents.
- There is no need for the elders to talk about cancer in the family.
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Decisions of transfusions or amputations should only
be taken by the elders. - There are no signs and symptoms with childhood cancer.
- Children do not survive cancer.
- There is nothing that can be done once a child is diagnosed.
- Certain families do not have the right to health care.
Reality
- Cancer is NOT contagious.
- You cannot get cancer by playing or touching a cancer patient.
- Children can get cancer.
- Children can be diagnosed with cancer, irrespective of race or gender.
- Childhood cancer is a blood disorder and no one is at fault for this illness.
- There is a need for the elders to talk about cancer in the family.
- Decisions of transfusions or amputations should be taken in consultation with elders in the best interest of the child’s survival.
- There are early warning signs and symptoms of childhood cancer.
- Children can survive cancer if diagnosed early.
- Early diagnosis is the key to survival.
- All have a right to health care.