Hosted by the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), about 60 people gathered around tables to learn more about the dread disease.
SDCEA members hoped to create awareness of cancer among the attendees and to teach them how to live healthier lifestyles. They also spoke about their call for a 24-hour asthma and cancer clinic for the South Durban Basin (SDB).
Representatives of the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and UKZN occupational health department, along with cancer survivors took to the floor to share with the gathering. They reiterated that support is key for people with cancer.
“It seems we are scared to talk about cancer, like it is taboo,” said SDCEA co-ordinator, Desmond D’Sa. “But the more we talk about it, the better. You can be helped and you can overcome cancer,” he added.
According to CANSA’s Dumisane Mvuyane, everyone has cancer cells in their bodies and cancer should not be viewed as a curse or punishment. “It is for this reason we all should go for screening because the cancer cells are not easily identified. We should not wait until we are sick and in the late stages of the disease. It’s very important to lead a healthy lifestyle which includes exercising and eating healthily. Prevention is better than cure,” read a press release from SDCEA.
UKZN’s Nkosana Jafta added that 90% of cancers are caused by the environment while 10% is hereditary. “The SDB communities are subjected to many pollutants which are carcinogens and lead to cancer. It is very important to have a cancer registry.”
The meeting closed with SDCEA calling for community members to join the cancer registry and to participate in a cancer walk on 18 November in support of a 24-hour asthma and cancer clinic in the SDB. The organisation also plans to set up cancer support groups.
For information contact Noluthando Mbeje by emailing thando@sdceango.co.za or calling 031-461-1991.
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