RIYADH, 11 January — There is an alarming growth in cancer rate among children in the Kingdom with some 400 cases reported per year, said Saleh ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh, executive director of King Fahd National Center for Children's Cancer and Research, here yesterday.
Children under 14 are found to be suffering from various types of cancer. "Genetic and environmental factors have been identified as factors increasing the risks," said Al-Sheikh.
Cancer only occurs in one out of 5,000 children. He said that the cancer in children is different from the cancer in adults with many childhood cancers occurring rarely in adults. Additionally, in contrast to adults, cancers in children are curable in most cases. Common childhood cancers include Wilms' tumor, leukemia, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, lymphoma and brain tumors.
Significantly, adults with chromosomal abnormalities run an increased risk of cancer. Extended exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight causes skin cancer whereas diet is another important risk factor, particularly cancers of the gastrointestinal system. This is in addition to many chemicals, viruses and parasitic infections which can cause cancer.
Referring to the prevalence of cancer among Saudi children, Al-Sheikh said that the growing number of cancer cases would inflict huge losses on the health sector as the treatment cost for one child suffering from cancer ranged from SR350,000 to SR1 million at the King Fahad Center depending upon the complexities of the disease. The treatment is provided free of cost to the children including expatriate children.
He said that the center the only medical facility of its kind in the Middle East to provide full treatment to cancer patients. This 55-bed hospital was built and donated by leading Saudi businessman Nasser Al-Rasheed at a total cost of SR375 million. Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, recently donated SR45 million to ensure its full-fledged operation.
There have been more than 6,454 admissions since March 1, 1997. This is in addition to the 19,429 children suffering from cancer treated as outpatients during the same period. Treatment periods ranged from one year to three years. Today, this hospital can boast of a 70 percent success rate.
Asked about the expansion plan of the hospital, Al-Sheikh said that a proposal has been made to expand the facility. It will include new outpatient clinics, operating rooms, recovery rooms and additional beds for day-long admissions. He indicated another proposal to expand it into a 100-bed hospital and to designate it a referral center.
He said that this children cancer center affiliated with the Riyadh-based King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center had emerged to be a world-class facility for children. The hospital, which is operated by 100 percent qualified Saudi personnel, has a total of 500 staff members including 32 senior doctors, 92 nurses and support personnel.
