In Italy there are approximately 1,500 children who receive a diagnosis of oncological disease every year
,
in addition to approximately 900 adolescents
.
However, the latest scientific advances have brought the cure rate up to 80%, in fact it is estimated that today in our country there are at least 50 thousand people cured of pediatric cancer.
These are the data reported by the president of the Italian Federation of pediatric oncohematology parents and recovered associations (Fiagop), Paolo Viti, on the occasion of the
World Day against Pediatric Cancer
which is celebrated on 15 February.
"It is urgent to offer adequate care throughout the national territory to many children and young people. Alongside excellent hospital centers, vast areas of the national territory do not have facilities for the treatment of pediatric tumors", underlines President Fiagop.
"In consideration of the relatively small numbers of these diseases, it is understandable that not all therapies can be provided in all districts, but a good organization of the National Rare Cancer Network will be able to protect the quality of care and also the quality of life of patients and families".
Furthermore, until Sunday 18 February, Fiagop is organizing various awareness-raising activities throughout Italy which see the 35 federated Fiagop associations and other entities in action.
The first initiative is "Let's give roots to hope, let's plant pomegranates", which involves planting hundreds of small plants of this fruit shrub as a symbol of life and solidarity.
Fiagop's second initiative is "I want you a bag of good", to promote the donation of blood and platelets and which will be organized at the transfusion centers of hospitals in various Italian cities thanks to the service of hundreds of volunteers.
The Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (Aieop) is also taking the field with the three-year campaign "Equal Access to Treatments: Revealing the Challenges".
The aim is to help shed light on the challenges related to childhood cancer, underlining the urgency of ensuring equal access to treatment for all young patients.
Through a global call to action, families, doctors, nurses and researchers will be invited in the first year to share their experiences and proposals by sending digital postcards through an interactive platform (www.iccd.care).
The anniversary also offers the opportunity to take stock of the progress made in Italian clinical research within the Aieop network.
“The crucial role of Aieop in the fight against childhood cancer – declares Arcangelo Prete, President of the association – has been demonstrated over the last year with numerous scientific publications which have ranged from supportive therapies to attention to the quality of life of our children and teenagers up to innovative treatments.
With respect to the latter, it is necessary to mention Italy's pioneering commitment to advanced cell therapies and gene therapies for various oncological and haematological pathologies".
Last but not least, the work published in the New England Journal of Medicine, in which researchers from the Bambino Gesù Hospital in Rome, in collaboration with representatives from other Aieop centres, report on the treatment of patients suffering from relapsed or refractory neuroblastomas through the use of CAR T cells directed against the GD2 antigen.
"The possibility of having a pharmaceutical workshop in Italy capable of generating cell and gene therapies is an added value not only for Italian children, but also for those coming from other countries, where this facility is not available", he concludes.
Schillaci, in the Milleproroghe the fund for children with cancer increased by 400 thousand euros
In the Milleproroghe decree, "as I announced, we guarantee the resources for the Eating Disorders Fund together with the further refinancing of the so-called psychologist bonus, while we increase the fund for assistance to children suffering from oncological pathologies by 400 thousand euros for 2024" , announced the Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci.
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