TO commemorate Corporate Wellness Week from 6 to 10 July, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) encourages all employees to identify health risks using CANSA’s free, online Lifestyle Risk Assessment tool.
With the 3rd wave of Covid-19 upon us, many are avoiding regular health checks, however cancer remains prevalent.
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CANSA is bridging this gap by offering a comprehensive Lifestyle Risk Assessment online service that creates a business risk profile after each employee completes the assessment.
CANSA’s risk reducing screening services are still available to companies, in line with all Covid-19 protocols, while the CANSA Care Centres continue to offer cancer screenings countrywide.
Commenting on the online tool, CANSA’s Service Manager for Stoma and Wellness Programme, Adele Burger, said it’s important that individuals are aware of their cancer risk.
‘Cancer affects anyone regardless of age, ethnicity or gender however, some people are at greater risk than others,’ explained Burger.
‘Part of cancer risk could include things outside your control, like a family history or a genetic predisposition. Despite this, there are cancer risk factors that can be controlled by us.’
She said it’s estimated that 30 to 50% of cancer cases may be preventable by modifying lifestyle, and the free, online tool will highlight areas where behaviour has an impact.
‘It’s a series of questions to assess your current risk and give you information about how to lower your cancer risk and promote early detection,’ she continued.
‘This is key to patients responding to treatment and having a better chance of recovery, or remission.’ Lifestyle changes could also lower the risk of other non-communicable diseases like heart diseases and diabetes.
Should an employee be diagnosed, CANSA offers holistic care and support to them and loved ones from the time of diagnosis to through all phases of need.
In addition to the Lifestyle Risk Assessment, CANSA’s wellness programmes offer:
– Blood pressure tests;
– Clinical breast examinations (to detect breast lumps);
– Pap smears (liquid based cervical cancer screening test for early diagnosis);
– Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) tests (a blood test to assist with detecting prostate abnormalities);
– FotoFinder examinations (mole mapping dermoscope device to examine moles and spots on skin); and
– A faecal occult home testing kit (to help indicate a growth/ inflammation/ bleeding in digestive system, possibly colorectal cancer).
For more information, visit https://cansa.org.za/screening-services/.
Further services include health talks, exhibitions and presentations.
For details on these, contact Sipheleliswe Mabaso 079 6293542 or smabaso@cansa.org.za
