MEN have been advised to come out of their shells and communicate more about issues concerning their health.
Dumisani Mvuyane, project director of Uphoko, which works hand-in-hand with eSpanini Health Services, said more men are dying from cancer.
Uphoko is an non-profit organisation that deals with men’s health.
“Nowadays, cancer does not have an age limit. There are children who are born with this disease; a person does not have to wait until they reach 40 before they start screening themselves.”
Mvuyane said many people have lost their lives to cancer. “Cancer is not a death sentence. It can be cured if detected at an early stage.
“The disease has four stages and it can not be cured once it reaches stage four. Early is the answer to all illnesses.”
Mvuyane stated that cancer is not caused by witchcraft and is not transmittable.
“If there is a person who has cancer in the family, they should embrace, love and support them. Cancer is very painful, which is why people who have it sometimes become loners and very short-tempered.”
He said even cancer survivors should open up about the disease and communicate about the changes in their lives due to living with the disease.
Testicular cancer is one of the most common types in young men and they should be able to screen themselves.
“Doing a testicular self-examination is easy: you have to learn what your body normally feels like, and that way any changes or anything that feels strange can be detected early.”
Mvuyane said another common cancer among men is prostate cancer. “The signs of prostate cancer are weak urine flow and drops of blood in one’s urine.
“Because men do not do pap smears, they should go for screening at least once a year. They should not wait for pain to go to a doctor or clinic.” Factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer are poor diet, smoking, lack of exercise, family history of prostate cancer, obesity and high alcohol intake.
Mvuyane said that, as an NPO, they usually visit male-dominated companies and schools to teach them about this disease.
Mvuyane added that they have just started out and they need donors who can assist them reach more people. “I also do counselling – people can call me and I can assist, even women.”
Screening is R150 at Espanini Health Service in Ashley.
Anyone can contact Mvuyane on 082 804 2344.
