Create a healthy workforce amid Covid-19

July 6 – 10 marks Corporate Wellness Week, a period used to shine a spotlight on the crucial need for employers to encourage and promote a healthy workforce and work environment.

In light of this year’s Corporate Wellness Week, Cansa encourages employers to take this opportunity to assist employees by asking them to identify health risks using Cansa’s online Lifestyle Risk Assessment.

The organisation said at a time when physical distancing is encouraged and hosting face-to-face employee wellness events are limited, they must continue educating and offering tools to help workforces be aware of their cancer risk.

“Cancer affects anyone regardless of age, ethnicity or gender. However, some people are at greater risk than others. Part of cancer risk could include things outside your control, like a family history of cancer and a genetic predisposition to cancer. Despite this, there are cancer risk factors that are adjustable and can be controlled by us,” explained Adele Burger, Cansa service manager for its Stoma and Wellness Programme.

“It’s estimated that 30-50% of cancer cases may be preventable by modifying our lifestyles to lower the risk. There are simple things we can do to reduce our risk of cancer. This tool is intended to help highlight some of those areas where our behaviours can impact our cancer risk.”

Burger maintained their tool ensures anonymity and is available for free on the Cansa website, giving employees peace of mind from needing time or long hours out of the office.

“It’s a series of questions to assess your current risk and give you information about how to lower your cancer risk and promote early detection of cancer, which is key to patients responding to treatment and having a better chance of recovery or remission from cancer,” stated Burger.

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Cansa offers a comprehensive service with the Lifestyle Risk Assessment and produces a profile of the company or business’ risk profile after each employee completes the assessment. In this way, employers can help by ensuring employees are aware of the changes they can make to lower the risk of cancer and other non-communicable diseases, like heart diseases and diabetes.

Burger explained employees can be healthy and productive – a healthier workforce is less disruptive, with employees needing less time off and feel cared for and valuable to their employers and more motivated.

“Should an employee be diagnosed, Cansa offers holistic care and support to them and loved ones from the time of diagnosis through all phases of need.

“There has also been an increase in people putting off going for check-ups as they do not want to visit healthcare facilities during Covid-19. Cancer is, however, still prevalent and regular examinations should be carried out.

“Cansa’s risk-reducing screening services are available to companies and workplaces with strict Covid-19 protocols in place, and Cansa care centres offer cancer screenings countrywide.”

In addition to the Lifestyle Risk Assessment, Cansa’s wellness programmes offer blood pressure tests, clinical breast examinations (to detect breast lumps), pap smears (liquid-based cervical cancer screening test for early diagnosis), prostate specific antigen tests (a blood test to assist with detecting prostate abnormalities), FotoFinder examinations (mole mapping dermoscope device to examine moles and spots on skin) and a faecal occult home testing kit (to help indicate a growth/inflammation/bleeding in digestive system, possibly colorectal cancer). Further services include health talks, exhibitions and presentations.

Burger added that besides screening at Cansa care centres, they also offer early detection programmes where cancer screenings are conducted at pharmacies and community centres in controlled environments, ensuring physical distancing, wearing of masks and sanitisers.

A small fee is charged to assist with the cost of the equipment needed to conduct the screening, and medical aid patients can submit a claim to their medical aid once they have paid for the screening.

For more information, visit https://cansa.org.za/screening-services/

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