<p>​Imagine hearing that your child&#39;s chance of surviving cancer is less than 30% simply because of where you live. This is the grim reality for thousands of families across Pakistan, where access to timely diagnosis and effective treatment remains a challenge. Childhood cancer, a devastating global health concern, affects approximately 400,000 children each year. While survival rates in high-income countries exceed 80%, they plummet to as low as 10-30% in low- and middle-income regions, including Pakistan.</p><p>In Pakistan, an estimated 8,000 children are diagnosed with cancer annually, but less than half receive proper diagnosis and treatment due to the limited number of paediatric oncology centres. As a result, many young lives are lost to a disease that could often be cured with timely intervention. Among the most common types of childhood cancers, leukaemia leads with nearly 30% of cases. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) has a high cure rate with proper treatment, yet access remains a challenge. Brain and central nervous system tumours, the second most common type, include aggressive subtypes such as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), which has a survival rate of less than one percent. Other cancers, including lymphomas, neuroblastomas, and Wilms tumours, also contribute to the overall burden of paediatric cancer in the country. 
</p><p>The crisis is exacerbated by several factors, including delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and the absence of a robust referral system. Many families live in remote areas without access to timely diagnostic services or specialized care. Financial hardships compound the problem, as many families cannot afford advanced treatments. Furthermore, the inconsistent availability of chemotherapy drugs and the lack of universal health coverage leave families struggling to access even basic care. These barriers create an urgent healthcare crisis that demands immediate attention.</p><p>Despite the grim statistics, there is hope. Pakistan has made progress in developing national paediatric cancer treatment guidelines through the Pakistan Society of Paediatric Oncology (PSPO). These guidelines cover a range of childhood cancers and have been implemented at various treatment centres across the country. Institutions such as The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) play a critical role in providing advanced treatments and raising public awareness about paediatric cancers.</p><p>Addressing childhood cancer requires more than medical intervention; it demands a holistic approach that prioritizes early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive care. Public awareness campaigns are essential in educating families about the early warning signs of childhood cancers. Collaborative efforts with the government to establish paediatric cancer research centres and funding programmes are equally vital to developing more effective therapies and ensuring no child is denied care due to financial constraints.</p><p>The fight against childhood cancer is daunting, but it is not unwinnable. With the right care, awareness, and collaboration, we can give these children what they deserve — a future filled with hope, strength, and possibility.

</p><p><strong>About Author: </strong><a href="/pakistan/patientservices/pages/profiles.aspx?ProfileID=184&amp;Name=Naureen%20Mushtaq&amp;page=admin">Dr Naureen Mushtaq​</a>, Associate Professor and Section Head, <a href="/pakistan/patientservices/pages/findadoctor.aspx?Spec=Paediatric%20Oncology">Paediatric Oncology​</a>, AKUH​
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