Gift Ramokhoase, one of them, said the biggest message they want the Bloemfontein community to take away is that awareness can make a difference. “Childhood cancer can sometimes be difficult to recognise because some of its warning signs may look like ordinary childhood illnesses.”

Rebafilwe Kgaasoane said they decided to partner with Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (Choc) because they believed they could make a meaningful contribution to the organisation and the community it serves.

“We are taught that social work is not only about responding to problems after they happen. It is also about prevention, awareness, advocacy, empowerment, and connecting people with support.”

She said childhood cancer gave them an opportunity to work across all of those areas. “We also realised that there are still misconceptions and a lack of knowledge about it, and we felt that awareness could be one way of contributing.”

SILUAN is an acronym used in South Africa to raise awareness about the early warning signs of childhood cancer. It is promoted by Choc and the department of health:

S – Seek medical help early. Persistent symptoms should be checked promptly.

I – Eye changes: White spot in the eye, new squint, sudden blindness, or bulging eyeball.

L – Lump: Swelling in the abdomen, pelvis, head, arms, legs, testicles or glands.

U – Unexplained symptoms: Fever lasting more than two weeks, weight loss, fatigue, pale appearance, easy bruising or bleeding.

A – Aching bones: Pain in bones, joints or back, or easy fractures.

N – Neurological signs: Changes in walking, balance, or speech; regression in development; persistent headaches with/without vomiting; enlarged head.

The students emphasised the importance of early detection, saying symptoms can sometimes be overlooked or mistaken for more common childhood conditions.

“When warning signs are recognised and a child is assessed earlier, it creates an opportunity for the healthcare system to identify what is happening and, where necessary, refer the child for the appropriate care.”

‘Recognising the signs is only the first step’

If not, children may be diagnosed late or may not reach a paediatric oncology unit in time. But recognising the signs is only the first step, as families can face further challenges once a child is diagnosed and treatment is needed.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the impact is not only experienced by the child. Specialised paediatric oncology services are not available in every town, which means some families may have to travel away from home to access treatment.

The students said one of the biggest misconceptions they want to address is the belief that cancer is contagious.

Furthermore, schools can play an important role in identifying possible warning signs, as teachers often notice changes in a child’s behaviour, attendance, appearance or overall functioning.

“Teachers should not diagnose cancer; they can raise concerns and encourage parents or caregivers to seek professional medical advice when symptoms persist.”

OFM News/Siyakholwa Mbatyazwa sm

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