As breast cancer awareness month continues, under the theme: Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters, the PinkDrive non-profit organisation, known for its commitment to early detection and education around gender-related cancers, has brought its campaign to Alexandra, next to Alex Mall.

The organisation, in partnership with Vuma, hosted awareness activities aimed at educating residents, and honouring survivors.
The initiative highlighted the importance of regular screenings and early intervention, especially in communities where access to healthcare remains a challenge.

Read more: Cancer awareness campaign empowers women at Helen Joseph Hostel

“We are doing screenings and health services. That’s what we brought to the community of Alex,” said Bongumusa Makhathini, chairperson of PinkDrive.
He said they intend to do 30 mammograms for women aged 14 and above, and 70 human papillomavirus (HPV) tests.

Furthermore, they aimed to do 60 prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests for men aged 14 and above, 80 clinical breast examination, and 50 primary healthcare screenings, including for glucose and blood pressure.

They also had a couple of medical experts on the site to help with expert assessments and reporting, including a general practitioner, radiologist, and two gynaecologists.

Emphasising the importance of the drive, Makhathini said they firmly believe that early detection saves lives. “If people can get to know about their health challenges early enough, they can do something about it.”

He explained that about 50 to 57% of patients are diagnosed late, by which time it’s usually too late for them to do anything.

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“We really want people to get used to screening as frequently as possible, and what we bring, as Pink Drive, are these services that ordinarily are inaccessible to our communities.”

Childhood Cancer Foundation (CHOC), a long-standing partner of Pink Drive, also intensified its education campaign, giving the Alex residents crucial information about to early signs of cancer in children.

Muzi Ngwenya, the national awareness co-ordinator for CHOC, cited the alarming national statistics, emphasising that far too many children in South Africa are lost to cancer annually due to late detection.

“Each year we diagnose around 1 100 to 1 200 children. Unfortunately, we lose about 50% or so, which is about 500, sometimes 600 children.”

He added that it is important for everyone to know the warning signs of cancer in children.

“What we are saying is that if people know the warning signs of cancer in children, then they can refer a child to a hospital quicker, and that could help save a life.”

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