Women encouraged to prioritise cancer screening

THIS Women’s Month, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is urging women not to forgo cancer screening amidst the pandemic.

CANSA’s head of services, Gerda Strauss, said women need to prioritise their health, as early detection saves lives.

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‘Some women, especially older women or those with underlying conditions, may be reluctant to get screening as they are more at risk of Covid-19.

However, appointments for clinical breast examinations and Pap smears can be made at CANSA Care Centres, which follow strict Covid-19 safety protocols,’ said Strauss, adding that the Care Centres offered an affordable rate.

According to the National Department of Health’s Breast Cancer Control Policy, women 30 years or older are entitled to an annual clinical breast examination when visiting primary health care centres, and to three free Pap smears (10 years apart) in their lifetime.

Women who are HIV-positive should also be screened for cervical cancer at diagnosis, and every three years thereafter if the screening test is negative – every year if the screening is positive.

Strauss advised women to do monthly breast self-examinations, as explained in CANSA’s latest video and on radio broadcasts (found here https://cansa.org.za/steps-how-to-do-a-breast-self-examination-bse/)

‘We also encourage women to familiarise themselves with the risk factors and symptoms of early stage cervical changes – although women may only present with symptoms at a later stage in the disease,’ she said.

‘Cervical cancer can be effectively treated if diagnosed early.’

For more information, visit www.cansa.org.za, visit a CANSA Care Centre, call CANSA toll-free on 0800 226 622, or email info@cansa.org.za

In addition to online resources and Facebook support groups, CANSA offers multi-lingual support on WhatsApp: 072 1979305 for English and Afrikaans; and 071 8673530 for isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, Sesotho and Setswana.

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