One in four people affected by cancer

EACH year, 14 million people learn that they have cancer and in South Africa, 1 in 4 people are affected, says Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) CEO, Sue Janse van Rensburg. Today marks World Cancer Day and van Rensburg said that CANSA was using the day to raise awareness to highlight and tackle common cancer myths.

“This is something we should all talk about to help challenge negative beliefs, attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate myths, cause fear and stigma, preventing people from seeking early detection and treatment, as well as declining vaccination,” she said.

The four common cancer myths, which CANSA is focusing on and providing facts on, are:

We don’t need to talk about cancer
There are no signs or symptoms of cancer
There is nothing I can do about cancer
I don’t have the right to cancer care

Van Rensburg admits that cancer can be a difficult topic to address, particularly in some cultures and settings. However, she said that dealing with the disease openly can improve outcomes at an individual, community and policy level.

“For most people, a diagnosis of cancer is a life-changing event, commonly evoking feelings of shock, fear, anger, sadness, loneliness and anxiety. When someone has cancer, talking about cancer to partners, family members, friends and colleagues can help alleviate these feelings,” she said.

While the benefits of early detection are beyond doubt as for many cancers, there are warning signs and symptoms, Van Rensburg stressed the importance of knowing and recognising the general signs and symptoms of cancer.

Warning signs for adult cancer include unusual discharge or abnormal bleeding, thickening or lump in the breast, testicles or elsewhere, indigestion or difficulty in swallowing, obvious change in the size, colour, shape or thickness of a wart, mole or mouth sore, change in bowel or bladder habits.

Other signs include nagging cough or continued hoarseness, a sore that does not heal, chronic pain in bones or any other area of the body, enduring fatigue, nausea or vomiting, repeated infection and/or inflammation, any continued fever and noticeable weight loss, as well as loss of appetite.

CANSA has various active support groups that connect patients, survivors and their loved ones with others who have ‘been there’ for insight, moral support understanding, hope and inspiration.

Contact  the toll-free call centre on 0800 22 66 22 or email at info@cansa.org.za