Hospital debunks cancer myths

According to the media liaison officer for the hospital Jane Lamprey, “One in six men and one in seven women in South Africa will get cancer in their lives, however there’s still much we don’t know about it, and myths make detection and treatment trickier.” She said the hospital takes on the responsibility of informing the public about these myths.

The first myth is that it is impossible to prevent cancer. “However, around 60 percent of cancers may not be preventable, but that means around 40 percent are,” said Professor Michael Herbst, Head of Health for the Cancer Association of South Africa.

“You can cut your risk considerably by avoiding tobacco, excess alcohol and sunburn; eating healthily; exercising regularly and going for routine screenings,” said Herbst.

“The second myth is that skin cancer only affects white skins. Skin cancer is more common in people with pale complexions which have less protective melanin, but anyone can get it,” said Dr Duvern Ramiah, a specialist radiation oncologist at the hospital. “Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before exposure, and reapply every two hours or after swimming, towelling or sweating,” he said.

Ramiah said cancer is not a death sentence. “Cancer is a serious disease and can be fatal, but with breakthroughs in prevention, early diagnosis and more specific treatments, it’s becoming increasingly manageable.”

Herbst reports that around 40 percent of adult cancer cases and 60 percent of childhood ones are successfully treated.

Herbst said most importantly, young women do get breast cancer. “Advanced breast cancer cases are mostly found in women older than 50, but cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in women as young as 20.” Ramiah said that woman must examine their breasts monthly and have any change in shape or discharge checked out. The Cancer Association of South Africa advocates that all women have a mammogram every three years from age 35.