140 children are diagnosed with cancer each year

Statistics reveal that 140 children in the country are diagnosed with some form of cancer annually.

Paediatric Oncologist at Port Moresby General Hospital, Dr Benjamin Daur told the NBC National radio health talk on Tuesday that this has been the trend for the last 14 years.

Dr Daur says it's a big burden for the country compared to the other Pacific island countries, like Tonga and New Caledonia, with only about 5 cases in a year.

He added there are four common types of cancers recorded in children, and brain tumor is becoming common:

The youngest child treated for cancer at the main referral hospital, was only 3 months old.

Dr. Daur says early diagnosis and treatment as with any other disease is important- however, access to health services for many people in the provinces of the country to Port Moresby is one major challenge.

He highlighted the need for parents and caregivers of children to closely monitor their children for any abnormal symptoms like persistent fever, pain and swollen body parts and bring them in quickly for checks.

On average, children with cancer receive treatment in a hospital for up to 6 months and undergo chemotherapy once a month.