Over 70% of Children Diagnosed With Cancer in Pakistan Don’t Survive, Experts Warn
Pakistan: ~10,000 kids get cancer yearly, survival under 30% from late diagnosis and limited care.
A concerning health crisis is unfolding in Pakistan, where fewer than 30 per cent of children diagnosed with cancer survive, according to experts speaking at an awareness session organised by the Indus Hospital and Health Network. Nearly 10,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in the country each year, but delayed detection, limited treatment facilities and financial hardships continue to hinder survival rates.
Globally, around 400,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer annually, with nearly 80 per cent of cases reported in low- and middle-income countries. In developed nations, survival rates range between 80 to 85 per cent due to early diagnosis and access to advanced care. In contrast, developing countries struggle with inadequate infrastructure and shortages of specialised healthcare professionals.
Speaking at the session, Dr Naeem Jabbar, Consultant Pediatric Haematology-Oncology, emphasised that most childhood cancers are treatable if detected early. Unlike adult cancers, childhood cancers are generally not linked to lifestyle factors and often have no clearly defined cause. With timely and appropriate medical intervention, cure rates can reach up to 85 per cent, he noted.
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Health experts highlighted that the most common childhood cancers in Pakistan include leukaemia, lymphoma, brain and spinal tumours, bone tumours, soft tissue sarcomas, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumour and retinoblastoma. Standard treatment options such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy are available, but many patients face delays in accessing these services or discontinue treatment due to financial constraints.
Dr Shumail Ashraf, Consultant Pediatric Oncology and Executive Director of Medical Services Directorate, revealed that the Pediatric Haematology-Oncology Department in Karachi alone receives approximately 1,000 new cases annually. Since 2014, more than 16,000 children have been treated, with nearly 1,300 currently undergoing treatment. Experts strongly urged parents, teachers, healthcare providers and the media to raise awareness, stressing that early diagnosis can significantly improve survival outcomes and give every child a fighting chance at life.
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