Don’t let Covid-19 discourage you from cancer screenings, urges CANSA
Breast and cervical cancers are the leading cause of death among South African women with breast cancer being the most diagnosed cancer, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 25, according to the 2016 National Cancer Registry (NCR).
WOMEN generally put others first and this August, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) encourages women to take care of themselves by knowing their bodies, the signs of cancer and taking up their right to cancer screening to promote early detection.
CANSA’s Head of Service, Gerda Strauss said they want women to realise that they too have the right to prioritise their health.
ALSO READ: #WomensMonth: Upper Highway’s Tracy owns her own power
Strauss said, “We know that we are living in unprecedented times with Covid-19 taking centre stage in our lives, however the cancer risk does not go away due to the pandemic. Women still need to go for regular cancer screening as early detection saves lives. Get to know the early warning signs and symptoms of cancer so that you’re informed and can seek help if needed,” she said.
She pointed out that some women, especially older women or those with underlying conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes may be reluctant to get screening as they’re more at risk due to Covid-19.
“However, appointments for clinical breast examinations and Pap smears can be made at CANSA Care Centres at an affordable rate, with no need for crowding and with strict protective measures in place against the spread of Covid-19,” she said.
Women are entitled to an annual clinical breast examination when visiting primary health care centres (according to the National Department of Health’s Breast Cancer Control Policy) and to three free Pap smears per lifetime, starting at the age of 30 years or older, with a 10 year interval between each smear.
Those who are HIV positive should be screened for cervical cancer at diagnosis and subsequently every three years if the screening test is negative and at yearly intervals if the screening test is positive.
Chief Director Women, Maternal and Reproductive Health, Dr Manala Makua, said, “To the health care professionals across the country, it takes five critical questions to save lives, what we call the ‘high five’. For every woman who visits the health care facility, please ask the following: Do you perform breast self- examinations regularly? Have you noticed any changes in your breasts? Have you experienced abnormal vaginal bleeding? Have you ever had a Pap smear? And Do you have a family history of cancer?”
Strauss elaborated that women should do regular monthly breast self-examinations, as illustrated in the latest video and radio spots that challenge women to get educated and learn how to do those breast self-examinations.
People can view the videos and listen to radio spots on the website. (https://cansa.org.za/steps-how-to-do-a-breast-self-examination-bse/).
Breast and cervical cancers are the leading cause of death among South African women with breast being the most diagnosed cancer, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 25, according to the 2016 National Cancer Registry (NCR). Cervical cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed (excluding basal cell carcinoma) among women.
The estimated life-time risk among all women in South Africa is 1:35 (National Cancer Registry 2016). Read more about the symptoms of breast and cervical cancer at https://cansa.org.za/womens-health/.
Strauss added that CANSA encourages women to familiarise themselves with the risk factors and symptoms of early stage cervical changes (although women may only present with symptoms at a later stage in the disease) – so that they may be aware.
She said cervical cancer can be effectively treated if detected and diagnosed early.
“Let’s adopt lifestyle behaviours that can help lower risk for breast and cervical cancers by being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, eating balanced meals, avoiding sexually activity at an early age and engaging in sexual activities with different partners or risky sexual behaviour, which increases the chances of getting HPV.
“Women should also avoid exposure to known cancer causing agents,” she said.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
