How much do you know about Cancer?

Did you know, however, that more than 100 000 people in South Africa are diagnosed annually?

This is according to Elize Joubert, CANSA’s acting chief executive officer.

With  February 4 being World Cancer Day and this month being Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month, ER24 is urging everyone to have regular physical examinations and health screening tests.

ER24 is also calling on people to lead a healthier lifestyle to lower the risk of cancer.

According to some organisations involved in raising awareness, advances in cancer detection and treatment have increased survival rates for most common types of cancer.

Noelene Kotschan, the founder and director of PinkDive, said if you notice unexplained changes in your body, you must visit a medical professional to determine the cause. She said that early cancer detection can save lives.

According to research conducted by CANSA’s head of health, Professor Michael Herbst, scientific evidence shows that lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise can play a vital role in lowering cancer risk.

It is stated that tobacco use, obesity, a poor diet, lack of physical activity and alcohol contribute to cancer risk. Infections and environmental pollutants also contribute to cancer.

According to CANSA the following are some of the warning signs for the illness:

• Change in a wart or mole.
• Any continued fever.
• Nagging cough or continued hoarseness.
• Chronic pain in bones or any other area of the body.
• Enduring fatigue, nausea or vomiting.
• Repeated infection and/or inflammation.
• Change in bowel or bladder habits.
• A sore throat that does not heal.
• Unusual discharge or abnormal bleeding.
• Thickening or lump in the breast, testicles or elsewhere.
• Indigestion or difficulty swallowing.
• Obvious change in the size, colour, shape or thickness of a wart, mole or mouth sore.
• Noticeable weight loss and loss of appetite.

These symptoms may be caused by other health problems but if one or more of these symptoms persist, consult your doctor immediately.

Last year, Campaigning for Cancer, PinkDrive and More Balls Than Most launched their “So how much do you know?”  Myths and Stigma Project.

“Our main objective at the launch of this project was to reduce the stigmas associated with cancer through evidence based, culturally relevant and targeted interventions while significantly raising awareness of the disease, early detection and screening through existing health programmes and multiple mass media channels,” said Lauren Pretorius, the chief executive officer at Campaigning for Cancer.

Pretorius added that the 2014 stigma study found stigma was one of the primary reasons why people affected by cancer do not receive the care they need.

The Cancer Anti Stigma Initiative will roll out over three years. Kotschan said, “Cancer remains a taboo subject and people living with cancer are subject to stigma and discrimination that may stop them from seeking care.”

According to PinkDrive, Campaigning for Cancer and More Balls Than Most some myths and facts include the following:

Myth – If you find a lump while breastfeeding it can’t be cancer.

Fact– Breastfeeding is proved to reduce a woman’s lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer but it can still happen.

Myth – Cancer is contagious and can spread like flu.

Fact – Cancer is not contagious.

Myth – Childhood cancer is fatal.

Fact – Most childhood cancers are curable. For example, some types of common childhood cancers have a survival rate is up to 85 percent with chemotherapy alone. A successful cure depends early detection and access to cancer treatment.

Myth – Testicular cancer is an old person’s disease.

Fact – It is the most common cancer affecting men between the ages of 18 to 39, the second most common between the ages of 35 to 39 and the third most common cancer between the ages of 15 to 19.

Myth – If you are young, a breast lump can’t be cancer.

Fact – You should get breast lumps checked out by a doctor at any age.

Myth – I’m too young to worry about cervical cancer.

Fact – Women can be diagnosed with cervical cancer in their 20’s.

Myth – Cancer is always painful.

Fact – The myth that cancer is always painful is associated with people’s fear of the disease. The cancer cells themselves are not painful but if the disease is advanced and has spread to the bones, then pain may be a symptom. There is medication that can help relieve this pain.

For more information visit www.cansa.org.za, www.pinkdrive.co.za, www.campaign4cancer.co.za