Childhood Cancer Protection in 2025

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Childhood cancer is a big health problem worldwide, and Southeast Asia is working hard to improve protection, early detection, and treatment. In 2025, Thailand and its neighboring countries are making great progress to help children with cancer get better care.

The Problem of Childhood Cancer in Southeast Asia

Every year, around 400,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, and about 61,000 of these cases happen in Southeast Asia. Sadly, nearly 45% of children in this region do not survive because of late diagnoses, limited treatment options, and weak healthcare systems.

In richer countries, more than 85% of children with cancer survive. But in Southeast Asia, many cases are not even diagnosed, meaning children don’t get the help they need. The most common childhood cancers in the region are:

  • Leukemia (blood cancer)
  • Brain tumors
  • Lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) 

Thailand’s Role in Fighting Childhood Cancer

Thailand is a leader in healthcare and is working hard to improve childhood cancer care. Since 2002, Thailand has had universal health coverage (UHC), meaning 98% of people in the country, including children, can get medical care.

By 2025, Thailand has added childhood cancer care to its "Cancer Anywhere" program, which focuses on:

  • Early detection (finding cancer sooner)
  • Better access to treatment
  • Financial support for families

Thailand also has a National Cancer Control Program (NCCP), which helps children with cancer by:

  • Expanding cancer screening programs
  • Improving cancer treatment in rural areas
  • Making chemotherapy and radiation therapy more available

The country has seven regional cancer hospitals working together to provide better care so that families don’t have to travel far for treatment.

A key improvement in 2025 is training more healthcare workers to detect childhood cancer early. Thailand has over one million village health volunteers who are now learning how to identify cancer symptoms in children.

Southeast Asia Working Together

In 2025, the South-East Asia Regional Childhood Cancer Network (SEAR-CCN), created by the World Health Organization (WHO), continues to help hospitals share knowledge across countries. Doctors from different countries now meet every month online to discuss complex cancer cases and improve treatments.

Other countries, like Myanmar and Nepal, are copying Thailand’s healthcare model by creating smaller cancer treatment centers in rural areas. By 2025:

  • Myanmar has 34 new cancer care centers
  • Nepal has 5 new centers

These efforts help families avoid long and expensive trips to big cities for treatment.

Preventing and Detecting Cancer Early

While most childhood cancers cannot be prevented, countries are taking action to reduce risks. In 2025, Southeast Asian countries are increasing:

  • Hepatitis B vaccinations (to prevent liver cancer)
  • HPV vaccinations (to prevent cervical cancer)

Thailand is also improving cancer registries (databases that track cancer cases), covering 31% of the population to help doctors understand which children are most at risk.

Challenges and the Future

Even with progress, challenges remain. Some problems include:

  • Not enough advanced medical equipment in rural areas
  • Fewer cancer specialists outside big cities
  • Environmental pollution (such as air pollution in Bangkok) increasing cancer risks

Countries like Laos and Cambodia still lack healthcare funding, meaning they need more help to catch up with Thailand and Malaysia.

Looking ahead, Southeast Asia follows the WHO’s Cancer Strategy (2024-2030) to continue improving cancer care. The future focus will be on:

  • Better palliative care (helping children with serious illnesses live comfortably)
  • Support for families
  • Long-term follow-up care for cancer survivors

Conclusion

In 2025, Thailand and Southeast Asia are making strong progress in fighting childhood cancer. Thailand leads the way with its strong healthcare system, and countries are working together to improve survival rates. While challenges remain, the efforts in early detection, treatment, and prevention bring hope for a better future for children with cancer.

SOURCES:

Here are some sources that provide information on childhood cancer protection developments in Thailand and Southeast Asia:

  1. WHO South-East Asia Region Childhood Cancer Care Improvements: This article discusses how over 7,500 children received improved cancer care through institutional networks and shared care in the South-East Asia region. who.int
  2. National Cancer Control Program of Thailand: This publication outlines Thailand's strategies for cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment, highlighting the country's efforts to integrate these strategies into its healthcare system. journal.waocp.org
  3. WHO South-East Asia Activities on Childhood Cancer Services: This page details efforts to expand childhood cancer services in the region, emphasizing the challenges and strategies to improve survival rates. who.int
  4. National Cancer Institute - Thailand: The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) provides information about Thailand's National Cancer Institute and its role in cancer control and patient care. uicc.org
  5. Cancer in Children - The Cancer Atlas: This resource offers insights into the burden of childhood cancer globally, including data on registration coverage in Asia. canceratlas.cancer.org
  6. National Cancer Control Programme 2022-2025: This document provides strategic directions for comprehensive cancer care and treatment, focusing on health promotion, screening activities, and palliative care. iccp-portal.org
  7. Cancer Statistics, 2025: This journal article projects new cancer cases and deaths in the United States for 2025, offering a comparative perspective on cancer incidence and mortality. acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  8. Cancer in Southeast Asia: A Comparative Analysis of 2022 Incidence: This study analyzes cancer incidence and mortality in Southeast Asia, highlighting the most prevalent cancers in the region. ascopubs.org
  9. Thailand's 'Cancer Anywhere' Program: This WHO article discusses Thailand's adoption of a universal health coverage approach to cancer management through its "Cancer Anywhere" program. who.int
  10. World Cancer Day 2025: Addressing the Growing Cancer Challenge in South-East Asia: This article highlights the high rates of certain cancers, including childhood cancers, in the South-East Asia region. health.economictimes.indiatimes.com


 

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