International Society of Paediatric Oncology holds conference in Accra

GNA – Mr. Rojo Mettle-Nunoo, Deputy Minister of
Health, on Wednesday called for the proper handling, dumping and disposal of
hazardous chemicals to reduce the growinging incidence of childhood cancers.
   "We need to protect children form toxic chemicals which have polluted
the environment as a result of industrialization and create more awareness
on environmental pollution which has led to the increasing incidence of
childhood cancers", he said.
   Mr Mettle-Nunoo was speaking at the opening of the 9th Continental
Meeting of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) 2010 in
Accra.
   The conference, hosted by Ghana for the first time, had as its theme,
"Childhood Cancer in Africa – improving access to care".
   Mr Mettle-Nunoo noted that Africa was not prepared to confront the
challenges of childhood cancer and called for tougher international
conventions that would protect children from the dangers of environmental
pollution and industrialization.
   "It is expected that this forum would help to address problems such as
illegal mining, pollution of water bodies, wrongful siting of communication
gadgets and refuse dumps, as well as the use of harmful pesticides", he
added.
   He urged specialists in childhood cancers to identify and expand their
research methods, as well as adopting a united approach towards the fight
against childhood cancer and other communicable diseases.
   "Toxic chemicals increase as a result of development and since we have
polluted playgrounds, air and water bodies, adults have a responsibility to
commission a research to ensure that a right balance is found to manage the
human cost of development," he said.
   Mr Mettle-Nunoo commended governments of developed countries who have
provided logistical support to rapid cancer units in the developing world.
    In an address read on his behalf by Professor Max Coppes,  Executive
Director of the Centre for Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Children’s
National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Mr Martin Engeler, President of
SIOP, urged participants to motivate and learn from each other to find an
amicable solution to the challenges of childhood cancer.
   Professor Janet Poole, President of SIOP Africa, commended the Local
Organizing Committee (LOC) for allowing parents to participate in the
conference for the first time.
   Dr Lorna Awo Renner, Chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee
(LOC) said SIOP was working to ensure that every region on the Continent was
made to understand the cause and dangers of childhood cancer.
   "The most important message to remember is that childhood cancer can be
cured provided the known effective treatments are available, affordable and
utilised", she added.
   The SIOP Annual Meetings are the most significant scientific and
educational events for paediatric oncology worldwide, where physicians of
all disciplines co-operating in the research and treatment of childhood
cancer share ideas and experiences for improvement in services.
   The meeting is also attended by scientists, psychologists, nurses,
parents and former patients to discuss pertinent developments.
GNA