WATCH: Pink Drive cancer awareness open day yields good results at Glenanda Clinic
Community members were tested for cervical, breast, prostate and testicular cancer.
October has become synonymous with the colour pink and fun slogans, and the PinkDrive Open Day at Glenanda Clinic on October 31 was no exception.
According to Lynette Meyer, health and social development committee member for Ward 23 and representative of the PinkDrive, the initiative was to raise cancer awareness through a full-service drive that included prostate, cervical and breast cancer testing.
“We provided breast cancer awareness where they provide mammograms, pap smear, breast, cervical, prostrate and testicular testing. We also provided men with prostrate testing as well as the services purchased through the PinkDrive.
These services are also available inside the clinic, so you do not need to wait for me to bring the PinkDrive; you are welcome to participate in any of the clinic’s or any municipal clinic’s services.
“I would love to thank the attendees, the ladies that work in the clinic for always coming through for me, the manager of the clinic, the councillor of the ward who is always an integral part of the ward,” said Meyer.
Health promotion practitioner of the clinic, Mandisa Nokwali said, “The open day was an opportunity for healthcare workers of the clinic to engage with the community and talk about the service that they deliver. This was sort of a reassurance that they do not have to pay money to come to the clinic.”
Community member, Palesa Gcaba, said the process was simple and the service is good and the PinkDrive nurses ask the right questions, are very helpful and friendly.
“I believe it is a type of thing that I would not ordinarily go for the process because I believe public systems take forever, so the opportunity we have is a great blessing.
“Testing is necessary because you need to know your current health status. It is crucial that people become aware of cancer; it is a dangerous illness and disease that can lurk in your body without your knowledge. I would encourage people to test for any cancer because early detection is, after all, preferable.
“The drive aided many people and these services should be provided more frequently. These kinds of services require support and the general public should be made more aware that it is a private facility that we can help. They help relieve pressure on our public systems, so this drive is beneficial. We appreciate that they come to Glenanda,” said Gcaba.
