What is head and neck cancer?
BRYANSTON – Campaign for Cancer to host social media campaign on 27 July about head and neck cancer.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the leading cause of death and disability in many parts of the world. To draw the world’s attention to effective care and control of the disease, Campaigning for Cancer will be launching a social media campaign on 27 July.
According to the World Health Organisation in South Africa, an estimated 4 per cent of 7 000 new cases of head and neck cancer were reported in 2018. Incidence rates are more than twice as high in men as in women. Comprising a multitude of diseases, this is a rare disease, and those who are diagnosed often know nothing about it.
The earlier head and neck cancer can be detected, the better the chances for treatment and survival. In 66 per cent of cases, neck and head cancer is found at a late stage, making it far more challenging to treat, with a much worse prognosis for the patient.
The campaign aims to ensure that the South African public become aware and are informed about the disease by promoting early detection of head and neck cancer and distributing awareness material that is easy to understand for patients, as well as a campaign communications ‘package’ that can help smaller patient groups and organisations to communicate key messages for head and neck cancer. A global Twitter chat will be held, which will include patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals such as dieticians who will be available to answer any questions regarding head and neck cancer.
Campaigning for Cancer will be partnering up with Fit Chef, a leading health convenient food company to assist head and neck cancer patients with natural and accessible recipes to help manage the symptoms that patients encounter during and after their treatment.
“As an advocacy organisation, we believe it is essential that the South African public and those diagnosed with cancer have access to credible and reliable information, both preventative and treatment based,” said Lauren Pretorius, CEO of Campaigning for Cancer.
“With a new angle of approach for the campaign, our focus is to reach out to a broader audience.”
For any donation queries towards Campaigning for Cancer contact Faan Janse van Rensburg faan@campaign4cancer; 011 706 6016 or 083 440 2096.
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