Thursday, January 28, 2010

Women's Health Project: what is in there for you?


4th to 6th February - Alexandra Community

Do you know about cancer? Do you know how to check yourself? Do you know the warning signs of cancer? Do you know where to go for treatment?

CANSA, the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development, the Breast

Health Foundation and Universal Church of the Kingdom of God have joined hands to empower you to:

· be more informed about cancer

· take more responsibility for your own health

· detect cancer early

· go for treatment early


Cancer awareness and screening project:

You will be taught how to do breast self examinations by trained staff and volunteers. A total of 500 women over the age of 40 will be given pap smears.

Cancer pamphlets and brochures will be handed out. Trained cancer support staff will be on hand to give you information. Should any problems be encountered you will be referred to the right people.

Cancer currently kills more people globally than HIV/Aids, TB and malaria combined. In 2010 it will be the number one killer globally.

One in 26 women is currently being diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 in 35 with cervical cancer in South Africa. Because of a lack of education and the fear of stigma, many women are diagnosed very late, making treatment difficult. Only education and awareness will address and overcome this issue.

“Of concern to me was the number of patients I saw with locally advanced breast cancer. Between 60% and 80% of all the patients we see in our clinics have advanced breast cancer. Fortunately breast cancer is a cancer that no matter what stage the patient presents with, there is something we can do. More importantly, it is a type of cancer that if detected early can result in a cure as well as breast salvage,” said Dr Carol Benn, founder of the Breast Health Foundation and the Breast Care Clinic at Helen Joseph Hospital.

The Alexandra Women’s Health Project will educate and empower women and we believe that lives will be saved as a result of this intervention.

The volunteers trained for the project will conduct on-going education and awareness in Alexandra, supervised by CANSA with monthly reporting and support from CANSA and the Breast Health Foundation. Support and follow-up for women will be ensured by CANSA and the Breast Health Foundation.

These 40 volunteers will have continuing cancer education, with men’s health, nutrition and sunsmart being introduced in the course of the year.

The Cancer Association of South Africa

CANSA is a community-driven and volunteer-based organisation that has been fighting cancer to save lives for the past 77 years. Started in 1931 by a group of medical professionals concerned about the high incidence of cancer, CANSA has grown to become one of the leading cancer NGOs in the country with 45 offices around the country and more than 12 000 volunteers and 260 staff members.

Our office (Gauteng Central) services the area stretching from Roodepoort in the west to Centurion in the north, from Edenvale in the East to Mondeor in the south and covers a total area of 1 644km, with a population of 3,2 million spread across 1 006 930 households.

CANSA is very concerned about the high incidence of cancer and is working hard to help prevent

South Africans from getting it, helping them to detect it early and facilitating care and support to those who are diagnosed as well as their families.

The Breast Health Foundation

The Breast Health Foundation, which is a section 21 company, was established in April 2002 in conjunction with several corporates and organisations to educate the public on breast cancer and breast health, increase awareness and empower women.

Traditionally women in Africa have been seen as the heart and soul of the family. By ensuring their health and by educating them will perpetuate a mindset of health education that moves on to children as well as husbands and partners.

The aim is to put to rest myths surrounding breast cancer and to have an open forum where women feel that they can come forward with their problems.

Bev Du Toit

Regional Manager, CANSA



1 comment:

Marcia Pires said...

Dear Alena, You are most welcome and I hope you join it every week.