Fitness trainer to host cancer awareness event in memory of late husband
“We’d like people to come through and support us so that they could learn and have more info about the disease. It will be educational.”
After losing her husband to rectal cancer last year, Cloverdene resident Precious Nxele will host a cancer awareness day in his memory on October 7 at Cloverdene Shopping Centre.
Nxele’s husband passed away after a two-year battle and Nxele, who started with her awareness initiatives last year, wants to encourage both men and women to do regular screenings.
“I want to spread a message about early detection and encourage our people to do regular check-ups and ensure their health is in condition. It’s better if the cancer is detected early,” she said.
Nxele said her husband only found out about his illness when the cancer was already at stage four. She said they ignored the earlier signs and only acted once he started feeling discomfort in his rectum.
“We realised something was not right when we noticed blood on his trousers. But we would ask each other and leave it at that. We only acted once he started experiencing pain. We went for checks and found out he was on stage four,” said Nxele.
She added that she wants to use her platform to dispel the myths that cancer only affects certain racial groups which, she said, were exacerbated by deeply-entrenched traditional and cultural beliefs.
“We take things lightly. That’s what happened with my husband and I. We saw the signs but didn’t act. When we found out, it was already late. I spent two years looking after him until he passed away,” Nxele said.
The fitness trainer said the awareness event would include an aerobics session, followed by a talk with community members, sharing her experience and lessons from her ordeal, while there will also be professionals to offer expert advice.
“I want it to become a norm for our people to do Pap smears and cancer screenings. I want both men and women to have regular check-ups so that if there’s a problem, they could find out early.”
Nxele bemoaned the lack of support structures for people with chronic illnesses in townships, adding the patients are often neglected and left to deal with their suffering by themselves.
“We need to create awareness. We need those with the means and leadership to support us in our endeavours to educate the public.
“Be there for them. Go with them for chemo treatment. They need love because we don’t know how long they’ll be with us.”
She said the proceeds from the event will go towards helping patients with cancer and purchasing toiletries for young people in the community.
“We’d like people to come through and support us so that they could learn and have more info about the disease. It will be educational.”
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