Take a free cancer screening with PinkDrive

AS World Cancer Day is commemorated today, Friday, February 4, the PinkDrive is hosting free screenings for men and women from 09:00 until 15:00 at Merebank Clinic south of Durban. 

Glenwood resident and cancer survivor, Janice Benecke, is the KZN Administrator for PinkDrive, said anyone can visit the clinic today, for a free pap smear, breast examination, or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. 

Also read: Clifton cancer survivor graduates with distinction

“We get no funding or assistance from provincial or local government in KZN, and PinkDrive has to fund the screenings,” said Benecke.

Benecke fought cancer twice in her life, first in 1994 and later in 2009. 

“In 1994 I was diagnosed with germ cell cancer. There was a golf ball size growth on my codex bone growing up my spine and I also had lung cancer,” she said. 

After a lengthy battle with chemotherapy and surgery,  Benecke was in the clear, but 14 years later, she would fight cancer again.

In 2009 Benecke found a lump in her breast. After an emergency mammogram and Ultra Sound, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“My doctor showed the difference between a cyst and a tumour. A cyst is round in shape and a tumour looks like an octopus. He told me that I must go and see a surgeon immediately,” she said.

She had surgery soon after her ultrasound. 

“They removed 18 lymph nodes and I have a 15cm cut under my arm to my nipple. They managed to save my breast,” she said.

Benecke then faced another round of chemotherapy. 

Now Benecke works with PinkDrive to help others catch cancer early through screenings. 

PinkDrive CEO, Noelene Kotschan CEO said raising awareness is vital in the fight against cancer.

Also read: Early detection of breast cancer is vital says CANSA

“We are all aware of the acute challenges health systems are now facing. The ‘secondary’ impact of the crisis on cancer and other non-communicable diseases, over the long term, has the potential to result in an even greater loss of life. 2022 is the start to aggressive awareness, improved Cancer services to communities, increased Cancer knowledge to the nation, and bigger circles of support and commitment to be provided in SA. Cancer is on the rise and every citizen of South Africa is either infected or affected by Cancer,” she said. 

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