The study that I presented here was about survival of childhood cancer in Iran. We investigated survival of childhood cancer in eight provinces of Iran using a population-based cancer registry dataset.
What was the study design and what did it find?
The study was a retrospective cohort study. We used data from registered patients in 2014-2016 and then both active and passive follow-up in order to ascertain their vital status at the end of follow-up. Our outcome was 5-year survival and according to our results the survival for… We investigated two cancers, leukaemia and also central nervous system cancer for childhood. The patients were aged from 0-14. We enrolled 1,800 cases. The survival rate for leukaemia cases was 68% and it was 48% for CNS.
Why is it important to know this data and what can be done about it?
Childhood cancer is a devastating health circumstance leading to significant [??] and most of the [??] happens in low- and middle-income countries like Iran. Unfortunately there is not enough evidence figuring out how much is the survival rate of childhood cancer in countries like Iran and other low- and middle-income countries.
So, first of all, in order to do something we need to know what is the problem. In this study we figured out how big is the problem.
What are some obstacles to improving cancer prognosis for children in Iran?
Probably the first one is public awareness regarding childhood cancer. Most of the time people in Iran and other countries like Iran are diagnosed in advanced stages leading to lower survival. The second obstacle is the lack of enough access to treatment also easy access to diagnosis. Even if you know the signs of cancer, you have the problem of getting access to diagnostic facilities.
In countries like Iran most of the health services are concentrated in central parts, in the capital of the country, and there is disparity in this regard, geographical disparity.
What can be done to improve childhood cancer survival across Iran?
Most of the treatment options for childhood cancer patients in Iran are based on a charity which is called MAHAK. Most people who are dealing with childhood cancer have to travel to Tehan in order to get access to the treatment, the charity-based treatment in Iran. Removing the difficulty to access to the treatment, removing the difficulty to access to early diagnosis of childhood cancer could be probably the best action we could take in order to improve the survival of childhood cancer in Iran, particularly for those provinces that are with lower socioeconomic status.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The most important thing in improving survival of cancer in Iran, for me, is improving the quality of life of people. When you’re increasing the socioeconomic status of people in a country, the first thing that comes is improving the health outcomes of more people and cancer is one of those health outcomes which is impacted.
In another study we did in a remote region of Iran, in the northwestern part of Iran, we observed that after improving the access of people to diagnosis, treatment and also improving the quality of life, survival of cancer, oesophageal cancer, has been improved significantly – a 20% increase. The survival rate in that region of Iran, which is quite a remote region, is comparable with developed countries like the US.
