Prostate cancer support group launched
The stage is based on the size of the tumour; the higher the stage, the more advanced the cancer
CanSurvice, a cancer support group under the leadership of Mr Ronnie Nkabinde hosted and launched a local prostate cancer support group.
The event took place at the Cansa office on Tuesday July 16.
Even though members of the community were invited and anybody on treatment of prostate cancer, survivors or anybody who wanted to learn more about prostate cancer, the attendance was poor but it is hoped that more people will attend at the next meeting.
The aim of the support group is to have survivors sharing their stories and information about prostate cancer.
Mr Nkabinde explained how he was diagnosed with prostate cancer but survived and now is a director of CanSurvice.
He has formed support groups in most Gauteng areas and launched the local support group.
He took the people who attended on the risk of the disease, signs and symptoms, screening test, Recommended Screening Test, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) and Diagnostic Test.
Mr Nkabinde also explained about treatment of prostate cancer and that in order to plan treatment, the physician must understand the extent (stage) of the disease.
The stage is based on the size of the tumour; the higher the stage, the more advanced the cancer.
To determine if the cancer has spread, imaging tests such as a bone scan, CT scan or MRI may be performed.
Recurrent cancer is a cancer that has come back after a period of being undetectable.
The most commonly used system to determine the stage which the cancer has reached is the Tumour-Nodes- Metastasis system (TNM).
T representing the primary tumour, N describing lymph node involvement and M describing metastasis (spreading away from the primary site of the tumour) if any.
He also explained about common treatment options which include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, orchiectomy and active surveillance.
If cancer is not found, medicine to reduce the symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate may be prescribed.
If cancer is found, the tumour or tumours will be graded on the basis of the aggressiveness of the disease, how fast the cancer will grow and spread.
One system of grading is the Gleason grade, which ranges from 1 to 5.
The most common areas are added to get a Gleason score between 2 and ten.
A lower score indicates a less aggressive cancer and a higher score indicates a more aggressive cancer.
The next support group meeting will be held at the Cansa office at 19A Northey Street on Tuesday, August 13.
For more information, please contact Andries du Preez, Cansa community mobiliser at: 072 248 9424 or 013 813 1100.
Email: adupreez@cansa.orga.za.
Squash Mtsweni can also be contacted at 082 458 8170
