The details of the Oncopediatrics Law, a regulation to protect children with cancer throughout the country

Some 1,400 cases of childhood cancer are detected each year in Argentina (courtesy Hospital Garrahan)

Law No. 27,674 for the Creation of the Comprehensive Protection Regime for Children and Adolescents with Cancer, known as the Oncopediatrics Law, was regulated 10 days ago and seeks to guarantee free, adequate and timely access to health coverage, in all phases of oncological diseases.

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The initiative establishes the mandatory registration of patients up to 18 years of age, both from public and private institutions, in the Argentine Hospital Oncopediatric Registry (ROHA), dependent on the National Cancer Institute. It also establishes the creation of a Coordinating Center that will depend on the Ministry of Health of the Nation and will work within the scope of the Hospital “Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan”

In Argentina, 80% of children and adolescents with cancer are treated in the public health system. The Garrahan nucleates the treatment of 40% of this population with survival levels between 70 and 80%. At the country level, the survival rate is around 60%.

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In addition, the regulations establish free travel on public transport, the guarantee of access to education and adequate housing or the adaptation of the family home for patients in situations of social vulnerability; as well as special work licenses for one of the parents or whoever is in charge of accompanying the patient.

With the recent regulation of the Oncopediatrics Law, the national reference hospital will play a fundamental role in articulation with health centers throughout the country (courtesy Hospital Garrahan)

The Regime for the Comprehensive Protection of Boys, Girls and Adolescents with Cancer, unanimously approved in Congress in June 2022 and regulated on February 8 by the National Government, has among its main objectives to establish an efficient referral and counter-referral system that ensure the correct and timely diagnosis, treatment of children and adolescents with cancer and strengthen family support networks.

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“The law fulfills two essential objectives: on the one hand, to reduce morbidity and mortality in childhood cancer, guaranteeing access to the best possible treatment, and on the other, to improve the way in which the treatment of children, adolescents and their families is carried out from the benefit in labor, transportation, educational and housing aspects”, indicated Dr. Marcelo Scopinaro, oncologist and executive advisor of the National Cancer Institute.

The highly complex pediatric center that is a benchmark in the country and Latin America performs some 12,000 surgeries per year and cares for more than 520 children with oncological diseases per year.

Within this framework and by the regulations of the Oncopediatric Law, Garrahan formalizes its role as articulator with hospitals and health centers throughout the country that treat oncological pathologies in children and adolescents, through the search for the best available solutions for diagnosis, referral and treatment of patients.

In Argentina, 80% of children and adolescents with cancer are treated in the public health system. The Garrahan nucleates the treatment of 40% of this population with survival levels between 70 and 80% (Garrahan Hospital)

“The implementation of the new Law gives a framework of obligation and requirement at the federal level to the work that the Hospital has been doing as an interconsultant, accompanying the second or third opinion, training the human talent of many centers in the country, putting the and patients at the center and trying to maintain their quality of life throughout the treatment”, said the Executive Medical Director of Garrahan, Dr. Patricia García Arrigoni.

For his part, Dr. Pedro Zubizarreta, head of Garrahan’s Hematology and Oncology service, pointed out that “survival in childhood cancer has improved in the last 20 years. The Hospital contributed to this happening due to the large number of girls and boys we care for. Achieving equity and lowering mortality are the main objectives and we will contribute that as an institution in the context of the work that is carried out throughout the country”.

About 520 patients from all over the country are admitted each year to the Integral Care Center for Hemato-Oncological Patients (CAIPHO) of Garrahan, which represents 40% of the pediatric population with this disease.

Every February 15, International Childhood Cancer Day is commemorated to raise awareness about cancer pathologies in children and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, survivors and their families (Garrahan Hospital)

It is estimated that close to 50% of patients with oncological diseases migrate at some point during their treatment to other provinces. Therefore, one of the main challenges in cancer treatment is avoiding unnecessary travel.

“The referral has to be timely, at the moment it is needed. There are instances in which it is not necessary for patients to be transferred: because it is enough to send biological samples or images. In line with the Oncopediatrics Law, the aim is to make life easier for families so that they can affectively accompany the girl or boy, mitigating the problems they have to face,” said Zubizarreta.

For her part, Dr. García Arrigoni specified that “the Law seeks to guarantee equity and access through a comprehensive approach. Oncological pathology is rare in the pediatric age and the announcement of this disease generates an unexpected blow to families. That is why all the actions that arise from the regulation of this Law must be focused on ensuring that children and adolescents receive the best care and treatment available ”, she concluded.

According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in Latin America and the Caribbean, one in 360 children and adolescents is diagnosed with cancer each year (29,000) (EFE/ Mohammad Ibrahim/File)

According to data from the Argentine Society of Pediatrics (SAP), in the country between 1,300 and 1,400 new cases are diagnosed per year. It is the leading cause of death by disease in children between 5 and 15 years of age, preceded by accidents. In our country, it is estimated at least 450 deaths per year from cancer in children under 15.

Pediatrician María de los Ángeles Caia, from the Pirovano Hospital, stated that “the progress in survival rates in recent years is mainly due to improvements in treatment and better clinical support.”

The most common types of cancer in children are leukemias, brain tumors, and solid tumors. In general, compared to adults, they have greater tolerance to aggressive treatments and better recovery capacity (Photo: Andina)

The specialist mentioned some symptoms that can be taken into account to be vigilant, always without panicking and consulting with the doctors either in the office or in the hospital. “We must be attentive to persistent fever, loss of weight and appetite, paleness, asthenia, spontaneous, persistent and unexplained bleeding or bruising. Also if when bathing the boy, for example, tumors are noticed in the abdomen, pelvis, neck and head, extremities and testicles. Or if the boys manifest bone or joint pain or suffer spontaneous fractures. If there is a case of loss of vision, you definitely have to consult too, ”she explains.

And add some neurological signs such as behavior changes, decreased school performance, balance or gait disorders, and seizures.

“Early detection of cancer, timely diagnosis and correct management of the disease can improve the child’s prognosis and increase the chances of cure. Early diagnosis can make a difference in prognosis and long-term side effects. The role of the pediatrician in the detection of the pathology is essential”, explained Tomás Piqueras, CEO of the Hospital Services Center.

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