Oncologist debunks myths on cancer

Lenmed Randfontein Private Hospital Specialist Clinical and Radiation Oncologist, Dr Nkuli Mlaba is debunking the myths that cancer is a death sentence and said that early detection is of paramount importance in ensuring that the disease gets medical attention in its early stages.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Randfontein Herald will be unpacking breast cancer and potential contributing factors.

“Early detection is very important because it improves the chances of cure and treatment. It underpins healthcare policies that drive emphasis on raising public awareness, early detection, and most importantly a re-design of the healthcare system that responds appropriately when a diagnosis is made. Screening allows to detection of breast cancer even in the precancerous stage and most importantly before symptoms appear. Breast self-examination and clinical breast examination also form an important part of early detection and screening, and is also important to recognise and target women most at risk for screening,” said Dr Mlaba.

She added that according to the sources she consulted with, breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world including South Africa, and is responsible for many cancer-related deaths.

“The South African 2019 National Cancer Registry estimates that one in 27 women are at risk of breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime and this is across all racial groups. An article published in 2001 attributed 0.7 percent of cancer deaths to breast cancer. A recent post reports that breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women and is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths.

“Stages of diagnosis can range from early [0= non-invasive; 1–2] and late [3–4], as well as palliative or end of life care including recurrent disease which is cancer that comes back after 6 months or years after treatment. All are treatable, even if it is end-of-life care, there is some treatment that we offer patients so that they are comfortable till the end,” she said.

Although in most cases the cause of cancer is unknown, factors such as genetic syndromes, smoking, excessive alcohol use, and obesity are among recognised risk factors.

After diagnosis, she advised people to discuss with their team of health care providers (nurses, general practitioners, specialists and allied workers) who will then devise an individualised plan of treatment depending on the stage of the disease and added that this might include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy.