Perspectives of non-physician partners on barriers and facilitators to AYA cancer care in Latin America.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults (AYA) worldwide. Although successful treatment of cancer in AYA has increased in recent years in most of the world, this is not true for many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) where over 80% of all AYA live. This study investigated the needs of AYA with cancer in parts of Latin America (LATAM) through the perspectives of non-physician health care providers and partners. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews (in Spanish) were conducted with non-physician partners from Mexico, Peru, Central America, and the Caribbean over Zoom. Participants were recruited through previously identified local physicians and international non-physician professionals working in these countries. Transcripts were coded and key themes identified until thematic saturation was reached (Atlas.ti). FINDINGS: Thirty participants representing eight countries were interviewed, providing 1202 min of transcript data. Data were organized into barriers, facilitators, and strategies to improve the delivery of health care for AYA with cancer in LATAM at the patient- (e.g., financial barriers, continued schooling), parent- (e.g., limited medical literacy, advocacy), and hospital-level (e.g., structural barriers, increasing funding). INTERPRETATION: There are many similarities in the barriers and facilitators to AYA care between LATAM and high-income countries (HIC); however, some characteristics are more unique to LATAM, for example, strict age restrictions for pediatric care and abandonment of therapy. As LATAM countries continue to build cancer control programs, there is an opportunity to consider our identified barriers, facilitators, and strategies to address the unique needs of AYA with cancer.

Addressing childhood cancer: actions taken in the Dominican Republic / Abordaje del cáncer infantil: medidas adoptadas en República Dominicana / Enfrentamento do câncer infantil: medidas tomadas na República Dominicana

[ABSTRACT]. This report provides a summary of childhood cancer and the efforts made in the Dominican Republic to address child and adolescent cancer in line with the World Health Organization’s Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. Information was obtained by review of recent local and international literature on pediatric oncology. As a result of the Global Initiative, a meeting was held by the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America to support the development of national pediatric cancer plans for each country. The objectives of these plans are to improve overall survival and quality of care for children with cancer through early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. In the Dominican Republic, several steps have been taken in the past 5 years to enhance diagnosis and care of children with cancer. For example, the National Committee of Childhood Cancer, headed by the Ministry of Public Health and including relevant stakeholders, was established to develop the national childhood cancer plan. In addition, a campaign was launched to raise awareness of childhood cancer, and the first early detection manual and public policy on child and adolescent cancer were published. A government initiative has been working to improve the hospital infrastructure and expand the pediatric cancer center, and a national course on early detection of pediatric cancers has been held. In 2023, the National Strategic Childhood Cancer Plan 2023–2030 was launched in the Dominican Republic. The plan will help policy-makers, implementers, researchers, and advocates enhance diagnosis and care of children with cancer.

[RESUMEN]. En este informe se presenta un resumen del cáncer infantil y las medidas adoptadas por República Dominicana para abordar el cáncer en la población infantil y adolescente en consonancia con la Iniciativa Mundial contra el Cáncer Infantil de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. La información se obtuvo mediante el análisis de las publicaciones nacionales e internacionales recientes sobre oncología pediátrica. Como resultado de la Iniciativa Mundial, el Consejo de Ministros de Salud de Centroamérica celebró una reunión para brindar apoyo a la elaboración de planes nacionales sobre el cáncer infantil para cada país. Los objetivos de estos planes son mejorar la supervivencia general y la calidad de la atención que se presta a la población infantil con cáncer mediante la detección temprana, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento. En los últimos cinco años, República Dominicana ha adoptado varias medidas para mejorar el diagnóstico y la atención prestada a la población infantil con cáncer. Así, por ejemplo, se creó el Comité Nacional de Cáncer Infantil, encabezado por el Ministerio de Salud e integrado por las partes interesadas pertinentes, para elaborar el plan nacional sobre el cáncer infantil. Además, se puso en marcha una campaña de sensibilización sobre el cáncer infantil y se publicaron el primer manual de detección precoz y la primera política pública sobre el cáncer en la población infantil y adolescente. Mediante una iniciativa gubernamental se ha buscado mejorar la infraestructura hospitalaria y ampliar el centro de atención a pacientes oncológicos pediátricos, al tiempo que se ha impartido un curso nacional sobre detección precoz del cáncer infantil. En el 2023, República Dominicana puso en marcha el Plan Estratégico Nacional sobre Cáncer Infantil 2023-2030. Este plan será útil a los responsables de la formulación de políticas, las personas encargadas de su ejecución, los investigadores y los promotores para mejorar el diagnóstico y la atención prestada a la población infantil con cáncer.

[RESUMO]. Este relatório fornece um resumo sobre o câncer infantil e os esforços da República Dominicana para enfrentar a doença em crianças e adolescentes, em consonância com a Iniciativa Global para o Câncer Infantil da Organização Mundial da Saúde. As informações foram obtidas por meio de uma revisão da literatura local e internacional recente sobre oncologia pediátrica. Em consequência da Iniciativa Global, o Conselho de Ministros da Saúde da América Central se reuniu para apoiar a elaboração de planos nacionais de câncer pediátrico para cada país. Os objetivos desses planos são melhorar a sobrevida global e a qualidade da atenção a crianças com câncer por meio de detecção, diagnóstico e tratamento precoces. Na República Dominicana, várias medidas foram tomadas nos últimos cinco anos para melhorar o diagnóstico e a atenção a crianças com câncer. Por exemplo, o Comitê Nacional de Câncer Infantil, que é chefiado pelo Ministério da Saúde e inclui as partes interessadas pertinentes, foi criado para elaborar o plano nacional de câncer infantil. Foi lançada uma campanha de conscientização sobre o câncer infantil no país. Além disso, foram publica- dos o primeiro manual de detecção precoce e a política pública de câncer infantojuvenil. Uma iniciativa do governo vem trabalhando para melhorar a infraestrutura hospitalar e ampliar o centro de câncer pediátrico e ministrou um curso nacional sobre a detecção precoce de cânceres pediátricos. Em 2023, foi lançado o Plano Estratégico Nacional de Câncer Infantil 2023–2030 na República Dominicana. O plano ajudará formuladores de políticas, implementadores, pesquisadores e defensores da causa a aprimorar o diagnóstico e a atenção a crianças com câncer.

Connecting Clinical Capacity and Intervention Sustainability in Resource-Variable Pediatric Oncology Centers in Latin America.

Clinical capacity for sustainability, or the clinical resources needed to sustain an evidence-based practice, represent proximal determinants that contribute to intervention sustainment. We examine the relationship between clinical capacity for sustainability and sustainment of PEWS, an evidence-based intervention to improve outcomes for pediatric oncology patients in resource-variable hospitals. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among Latin American pediatric oncology centers participating in Proyecto Escala de Valoración de Alerta Temprana (EVAT), an improvement collaborative to implement Pediatric Early Warning Systems (PEWS). Hospitals were eligible if they had completed PEWS implementation. Clinicians were eligible to participate if they were involved in PEWS implementation or used PEWS in clinical work. The Spanish language survey consisted of 56 close and open-ended questions about the respondent, hospital, participants' assessment of clinical capacity to sustain PEWS using the clinical sustainability assessment tool (CSAT), and perceptions about PEWS and its use as an intervention. Results were analyzed using a multi-level modeling approach to examine the relationship between individual, hospital, intervention, and clinical capacity determinants to PEWS sustainment. A total of 797 responses from 37 centers in 13 countries were included in the analysis. Eighty-seven percent of participants reported PEWS sustainment. After controlling for individual, hospital, and intervention factors, clinical capacity was significantly associated with PEWS sustainment (OR 3.27, p < .01). Marginal effects from the final model indicate that an increasing capacity score has a positive influence (11% for every additional CSAT point) of predicting PEWS sustainment. PEWS is a sustainable intervention and clinical capacity to sustain PEWS contributes meaningfully to PEWS sustainment.

Addressing childhood cancer: actions taken in the Dominican Republic.

This report provides a summary of childhood cancer and the efforts made in the Dominican Republic to address child and adolescent cancer in line with the World Health Organization's Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. Information was obtained by review of recent local and international literature on pediatric oncology. As a result of the Global Initiative, a meeting was held by the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America to support the development of national pediatric cancer plans for each country. The objectives of these plans are to improve overall survival and quality of care for children with cancer through early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. In the Dominican Republic, several steps have been taken in the past 5 years to enhance diagnosis and care of children with cancer. For example, the National Committee of Childhood Cancer, headed by the Ministry of Public Health and including relevant stakeholders, was established to develop the national childhood cancer plan. In addition, a campaign was launched to raise awareness of childhood cancer, and the first early detection manual and public policy on child and adolescent cancer were published. A government initiative has been working to improve the hospital infrastructure and expand the pediatric cancer center, and a national course on early detection of pediatric cancers has been held. In 2023, the National Strategic Childhood Cancer Plan 2023-2030 was launched in the Dominican Republic. The plan will help policy-makers, implementers, researchers, and advocates enhance diagnosis and care of children with cancer.

En este informe se presenta un resumen del cáncer infantil y las medidas adoptadas por República Dominicana para abordar el cáncer en la población infantil y adolescente en consonancia con la Iniciativa Mundial contra el Cáncer Infantil de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. La información se obtuvo mediante el análisis de las publicaciones nacionales e internacionales recientes sobre oncología pediátrica. Como resultado de la Iniciativa Mundial, el Consejo de Ministros de Salud de Centroamérica celebró una reunión para brindar apoyo a la elaboración de planes nacionales sobre el cáncer infantil para cada país. Los objetivos de estos planes son mejorar la supervivencia general y la calidad de la atención que se presta a la población infantil con cáncer mediante la detección temprana, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento. En los últimos cinco años, República Dominicana ha adoptado varias medidas para mejorar el diagnóstico y la atención prestada a la población infantil con cáncer. Así, por ejemplo, se creó el Comité Nacional de Cáncer Infantil, encabezado por el Ministerio de Salud e integrado por las partes interesadas pertinentes, para elaborar el plan nacional sobre el cáncer infantil. Además, se puso en marcha una campaña de sensibilización sobre el cáncer infantil y se publicaron el primer manual de detección precoz y la primera política pública sobre el cáncer en la población infantil y adolescente. Mediante una iniciativa gubernamental se ha buscado mejorar la infraestructura hospitalaria y ampliar el centro de atención a pacientes oncológicos pediátricos, al tiempo que se ha impartido un curso nacional sobre detección precoz del cáncer infantil. En el 2023, República Dominicana puso en marcha el Plan Estratégico Nacional sobre Cáncer Infantil 2023-2030. Este plan será útil a los responsables de la formulación de políticas, las personas encargadas de su ejecución, los investigadores y los promotores para mejorar el diagnóstico y la atención prestada a la población infantil con cáncer.

Este relatório fornece um resumo sobre o câncer infantil e os esforços da República Dominicana para enfrentar a doença em crianças e adolescentes, em consonância com a Iniciativa Global para o Câncer Infantil da Organização Mundial da Saúde. As informações foram obtidas por meio de uma revisão da literatura local e internacional recente sobre oncologia pediátrica. Em consequência da Iniciativa Global, o Conselho de Ministros da Saúde da América Central se reuniu para apoiar a elaboração de planos nacionais de câncer pediátrico para cada país. Os objetivos desses planos são melhorar a sobrevida global e a qualidade da atenção a crianças com câncer por meio de detecção, diagnóstico e tratamento precoces. Na República Dominicana, várias medidas foram tomadas nos últimos cinco anos para melhorar o diagnóstico e a atenção a crianças com câncer. Por exemplo, o Comitê Nacional de Câncer Infantil, que é chefiado pelo Ministério da Saúde e inclui as partes interessadas pertinentes, foi criado para elaborar o plano nacional de câncer infantil. Foi lançada uma campanha de conscientização sobre o câncer infantil no país. Além disso, foram publicados o primeiro manual de detecção precoce e a política pública de câncer infantojuvenil. Uma iniciativa do governo vem trabalhando para melhorar a infraestrutura hospitalar e ampliar o centro de câncer pediátrico e ministrou um curso nacional sobre a detecção precoce de cânceres pediátricos. Em 2023, foi lançado o Plano Estratégico Nacional de Câncer Infantil 2023­2030 na República Dominicana. O plano ajudará formuladores de políticas, implementadores, pesquisadores e defensores da causa a aprimorar o diagnóstico e a atenção a crianças com câncer.

The Effect of COVID-19 on Oncology Care for Adolescents and Young Adults in Latin America.

Children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but little is known about how adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer were affected. Sixty-seven physicians and nonphysician providers were interviewed about their experiences caring for AYAs with cancer in Latin America. Quotes related to the COVID-19 pandemic were identified and grouped into themes. Barriers from the COVID-19 pandemic included limited space, restrictions on travel, reduced funding, limited staff, limited services, and changes to treatment. However, improvements to care that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic included better access to distance learning and telemedicine.

Addressing childhood cancer: actions taken in the Dominican Republic / Abordaje del cáncer infantil: medidas adoptadas en República Dominicana / Enfrentamento do câncer infantil: medidas tomadas na República Dominicana

ABSTRACT This report provides a summary of childhood cancer and the efforts made in the Dominican Republic to address child and adolescent cancer in line with the World Health Organization's Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. Information was obtained by review of recent local and international literature on pediatric oncology. As a result of the Global Initiative, a meeting was held by the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America to support the development of national pediatric cancer plans for each country. The objectives of these plans are to improve overall survival and quality of care for children with cancer through early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. In the Dominican Republic, several steps have been taken in the past 5 years to enhance diagnosis and care of children with cancer. For example, the National Committee of Childhood Cancer, headed by the Ministry of Public Health and including relevant stakeholders, was established to develop the national childhood cancer plan. In addition, a campaign was launched to raise awareness of childhood cancer, and the first early detection manual and public policy on child and adolescent cancer were published. A government initiative has been working to improve the hospital infrastructure and expand the pediatric cancer center, and a national course on early detection of pediatric cancers has been held. In 2023, the National Strategic Childhood Cancer Plan 2023-2030 was launched in the Dominican Republic. The plan will help policy-makers, implementers, researchers, and advocates enhance diagnosis and care of children with cancer.

RESUMEN En este informe se presenta un resumen del cáncer infantil y las medidas adoptadas por República Dominicana para abordar el cáncer en la población infantil y adolescente en consonancia con la Iniciativa Mundial contra el Cáncer Infantil de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. La información se obtuvo mediante el análisis de las publicaciones nacionales e internacionales recientes sobre oncología pediátrica. Como resultado de la Iniciativa Mundial, el Consejo de Ministros de Salud de Centroamérica celebró una reunión para brindar apoyo a la elaboración de planes nacionales sobre el cáncer infantil para cada país. Los objetivos de estos planes son mejorar la supervivencia general y la calidad de la atención que se presta a la población infantil con cáncer mediante la detección temprana, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento. En los últimos cinco años, República Dominicana ha adoptado varias medidas para mejorar el diagnóstico y la atención prestada a la población infantil con cáncer. Así, por ejemplo, se creó el Comité Nacional de Cáncer Infantil, encabezado por el Ministerio de Salud e integrado por las partes interesadas pertinentes, para elaborar el plan nacional sobre el cáncer infantil. Además, se puso en marcha una campaña de sensibilización sobre el cáncer infantil y se publicaron el primer manual de detección precoz y la primera política pública sobre el cáncer en la población infantil y adolescente. Mediante una iniciativa gubernamental se ha buscado mejorar la infraestructura hospitalaria y ampliar el centro de atención a pacientes oncológicos pediátricos, al tiempo que se ha impartido un curso nacional sobre detección precoz del cáncer infantil. En el 2023, República Dominicana puso en marcha el Plan Estratégico Nacional sobre Cáncer Infantil 2023-2030. Este plan será útil a los responsables de la formulación de políticas, las personas encargadas de su ejecución, los investigadores y los promotores para mejorar el diagnóstico y la atención prestada a la población infantil con cáncer.

RESUMO Este relatório fornece um resumo sobre o câncer infantil e os esforços da República Dominicana para enfrentar a doença em crianças e adolescentes, em consonância com a Iniciativa Global para o Câncer Infantil da Organização Mundial da Saúde. As informações foram obtidas por meio de uma revisão da literatura local e internacional recente sobre oncologia pediátrica. Em consequência da Iniciativa Global, o Conselho de Ministros da Saúde da América Central se reuniu para apoiar a elaboração de planos nacionais de câncer pediátrico para cada país. Os objetivos desses planos são melhorar a sobrevida global e a qualidade da atenção a crianças com câncer por meio de detecção, diagnóstico e tratamento precoces. Na República Dominicana, várias medidas foram tomadas nos últimos cinco anos para melhorar o diagnóstico e a atenção a crianças com câncer. Por exemplo, o Comitê Nacional de Câncer Infantil, que é chefiado pelo Ministério da Saúde e inclui as partes interessadas pertinentes, foi criado para elaborar o plano nacional de câncer infantil. Foi lançada uma campanha de conscientização sobre o câncer infantil no país. Além disso, foram publicados o primeiro manual de detecção precoce e a política pública de câncer infantojuvenil. Uma iniciativa do governo vem trabalhando para melhorar a infraestrutura hospitalar e ampliar o centro de câncer pediátrico e ministrou um curso nacional sobre a detecção precoce de cânceres pediátricos. Em 2023, foi lançado o Plano Estratégico Nacional de Câncer Infantil 2023-2030 na República Dominicana. O plano ajudará formuladores de políticas, implementadores, pesquisadores e defensores da causa a aprimorar o diagnóstico e a atenção a crianças com câncer.

Effect of paediatric early warning systems (PEWS) implementation on clinical deterioration event mortality among children with cancer in resource-limited hospitals in Latin America: a prospective, multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Paediatric early warning systems (PEWS) aid in the early identification of clinical deterioration events in children admitted to hospital. We aimed to investigate the effect of PEWS implementation on mortality due to clinical deterioration in children with cancer in 32 resource-limited hospitals across Latin America. METHODS: Proyecto Escala de Valoración de Alerta Temprana (Proyecto EVAT) is a quality improvement collaborative to implement PEWS in hospitals providing childhood cancer care. In this prospective, multicentre cohort study, centres joining Proyecto EVAT and completing PEWS implementation between April 1, 2017, and May 31, 2021, prospectively tracked clinical deterioration events and monthly inpatient-days in children admitted to hospital with cancer. De-identified registry data reported between April 17, 2017, and Nov 30, 2021, from all hospitals were included in analyses; children with limitations on escalation of care were excluded. The primary outcome was clinical deterioration event mortality. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were used to compare clinical deterioration event mortality before and after PEWS implementation; multivariable analyses assessed the correlation between clinical deterioration event mortality and centre characteristics. FINDINGS: Between April 1, 2017, and May 31, 2021, 32 paediatric oncology centres from 11 countries in Latin America successfully implemented PEWS through Proyecto EVAT; these centres documented 2020 clinical deterioration events in 1651 patients over 556 400 inpatient-days. Overall clinical deterioration event mortality was 32·9% (664 of 2020 events). The median age of patients with clinical deterioration events was 8·5 years (IQR 3·9-13·2), and 1095 (54·2%) of 2020 clinical deterioration events were reported in male patients; data on race or ethnicity were not collected. Data were reported per centre for a median of 12 months (IQR 10-13) before PEWS implementation and 18 months (16-18) after PEWS implementation. The mortality rate due to a clinical deterioration event was 1·33 events per 1000 patient-days before PEWS implementation and 1·09 events per 1000 patient-days after PEWS implementation (IRR 0·82 [95% CI 0·69-0·97]; p=0·021). In the multivariable analysis of centre characteristics, higher clinical deterioration event mortality rates before PEWS implementation (IRR 1·32 [95% CI 1·22-1·43]; p<0·0001), being a teaching hospital (1·18 [1·09-1·27]; p<0·0001), not having a separate paediatric haematology-oncology unit (1·38 [1·21-1·57]; p<0·0001), and having fewer PEWS omissions (0·95 [0·92-0·99]; p=0·0091) were associated with a greater reduction in clinical deterioration event mortality after PEWS implementation; no association was found with country income level (IRR 0·86 [95% CI 0·68-1·09]; p=0·22) or clinical deterioration event rates before PEWS implementation (1·04 [0·97-1·12]; p=0·29). INTERPRETATION: PEWS implementation was associated with reduced clinical deterioration event mortality in paediatric patients with cancer across 32 resource-limited hospitals in Latin America. These data support the use of PEWS as an effective evidence-based intervention to reduce disparities in global survival for children with cancer. FUNDING: American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, US National Institutes of Health, and Conquer Cancer Foundation. TRANSLATIONS: For the Spanish and Portuguese translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Impact of hospital characteristics on implementation of a Pediatric Early Warning System in resource-limited cancer hospitals.

Background: Pediatric Early Warning Systems (PEWS) aid in identification of deterioration in hospitalized children with cancer but are underutilized in resource-limited settings. Proyecto EVAT is a multicenter quality improvement (QI) collaborative in Latin America to implement PEWS. This study investigates the relationship between hospital characteristics and time required for PEWS implementation. Methods: This convergent mixed-methods study included 23 Proyecto EVAT childhood cancer centers; 5 hospitals representing quick and slow implementers were selected for qualitative analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 71 stakeholders involved in PEWS implementation. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and translated to English, then coded using a priori and novel codes. Thematic content analysis explored the impact of hospital characteristics and QI experience on time required for PEWS implementation and was supplemented by quantitative analysis exploring the relationship between hospital characteristics and implementation time. Results: In both quantitative and qualitative analysis, material and human resources to support PEWS significantly impacted time to implementation. Lack of resources produced various obstacles that extended time necessary for centers to achieve successful implementation. Hospital characteristics, such as funding structure and type, influenced PEWS implementation time by determining their resource-availability. Prior hospital or implementation leader experience with QI, however, helped facilitate implementation by assisting implementers predict and overcome resource-related challenges. Conclusions: Hospital characteristics impact time required to implement PEWS in resource-limited childhood cancer centers; however, prior QI experience helps anticipate and adapt to resource challenges and more quickly implement PEWS. QI training should be a component of strategies to scale-up use of evidence-based interventions like PEWS in resource-limited settings.

Ideal vs Actual Timing of Palliative Care Integration for Children With Cancer in Latin America.

Importance: Early integration of pediatric palliative care (PPC) for children with cancer is critical for the quality of life of both patient and family. To improve access to PPC in resource-limited settings, barriers to early integration must be understood. Objectives: To evaluate the ideal vs actual timing of PPC integration for children with cancer and to uncover barriers to early integration identified by physicians in Latin America. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Assessing Doctors' Attitudes on Palliative Treatment (ADAPT) survey was distributed electronically from August 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021, to physicians who treat children with cancer in 17 countries in Latin America. Main Outcomes and Measures: The ADAPT survey queried for understanding of ideal vs actual timing of PPC for children with cancer and for identification of barriers to PPC integration. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. For secondary analyses, a comparison of the associations of previous palliative care training with physician specialty was performed using the Pearson χ2 test or the Fisher exact test. The McNemar test was used to assess responses regarding the actual vs ideal timing of PPC consultation. Analysis of variance was used to compare mean values for perceived barriers by country income level. Answers to open-ended questions were analyzed qualitatively. Results: A total of 831 physicians (578 women [69.6%]; 275 physicians [33.1%] aged <35 years and 556 physicians [66.9%] aged ≥35 years) from 17 countries participated, with an overall response rate of 37.9% (831 of 2193) and a median country response rate of 51.4% (range, 22.2%-88.9%). Most respondents (572 [68.8%]) said that PPC should be involved from diagnosis, but only 117 (14.1%) stated that this occurred at their institution (P < .001). The most significantly ranked barriers to PPC were lack of home-based services (713 [85.8%]), personnel (654 [78.7%]), and knowledge about PPC (693 [83.4%]), along with physician (676 [81.3%]) and family (603 [72.6%]) discomfort about PPC involvement. In addition, these barriers were rated as more important in lower-middle income countries compared with upper-middle income countries and high-income countries. Conclusions and Relevance: This study highlights the discrepancy between ideal and actual timing of PPC for children with cancer and barriers to early PPC integration in Latin America. Interventions addressing access to PPC resources, didactic training, and clinical education (with a particular focus on equitable access to basic resources and support) are critical to improve the timing and quality of PPC in the region.

Cáncer infantil: lo que debemos saber / Childhood cáncer: What we should know

Introducción: el cáncer representa una de las principales causas de muerte en niños, niñas y adolescentes a nivel global, el cual es superado escasamente por los accidentes. Las neoplasias más frecuentes son, en primer lugar, las leucemias; segundo, los tumores del Sistema Nervioso Central; y, tercero, los linfomas. Es importante destacar que no existe prevención, sin embargo, hay signos de alarma que si se logran identificar a tiempo pueden verse traducidos en una enfermedad más manejable con una sobrevida más alta y un mejor pronóstico. Objetivo: realizar una actualización académica sobre la importancia de los signos y síntomas de alarma del cáncer infantil. Método: se realizó una investigación documental y se utilizó como buscador de información científica Google Académico. Se evaluaron artículos de investigación y revisión de diferentes bases de datos, como: site de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, site de la Oficina Panamericana de la Salud, Revista de Pediatría Integral, American Cáncer Society y publicaciones periodísticas locales, entre otros. Conclusiones: el cáncer en la infancia y adolescencia no puede prevenirse; sin embargo, si los médicos de los distintos niveles de atención en salud pueden reconocer los signos de alarma ante un probable caso de malignidad, se lograrán referimientos oportunos, diagnósticos tempranos y una mejor tasa de curabilidad y sobrevida en los niños.

Introduction: Cancer represents one of the main causes of death in children and adolescents globally, which is barely surpassed by accidents. The most frequent neoplasms are leukemias first, Central Nervous System tumors second, and lymphomas third. It is important to note that there is no prevention, however, there are warning signs that, if identified in time, can be translated into a more manageable disease with higher survival and a better prognosis. Objective: To carry out an academic update on the importance of warning signs and symptoms of childhood cancer. Method: A documentary research was carried out and Google Scholar was used as a search engine for scientific information. Research and review articles from different databases were evaluated, such as: the World Health Organization site, the Pan American Health Office site, the Comprehensive Pediatrics Review, the American Cancer Society, local journalistic publications, among others. Conclusions: Cancer in childhood and adolescence cannot be prevented, however, if doctors at the different levels of health care can recognize the warning signs in the event of a probable case of malignancy, timely referrals, early diagnoses and a better curability rate will be achieved and survival in children.