Vosloorus celebrates cancer awareness month

The Vosloorus Civic Centre was packed to capacity on Friday, October 28, as men and women came together to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

People who attended the celebration were encouraged to undergo breast cancer tests at least once a year.

Nonhlanhla Kubheka, deputy chairperson of the SAPS Gauteng Provincial Women’s Network, who was a speaker on the day, said, “We are encouraging women and men to celebrate breast cancer month. We have brought in doctors who are specialists in cervix cancer and prostate cancer to address men and women about the two types of cancer.

“Men must celebrate breast cancer too because their mothers used that same breast to feed them when they were young,” said Kubheka.

Dr Thami Madlala, spoke about prostate cancer, said that men must not be shy to get tested because even the late president Nelson Mandela had prostate cancer.

“It is not only men who should be aware of prostate cancer but women too.

“Even though it does not destroy a man’s sexual performance it can destroy the way a man makes babies,” said Madlala.

Following are prostate cancer warning signs:

· Weak interruption of urine system

· Difficulty in urinating

· Painful urinating

· Blood urine

· Pain in back, hips or pelvis

· Often no symptoms at all.

“You don’t need symptoms at all to see the doctor, because some people don’t have symptoms but still have prostate cancer. At least once a year, do blood tests and a physical examination.

“Prostate cancer runs in the family. If you are diagnosed with it, bring your male family members for check-ups as well.

“Good news is that prostate cancer is the slowest growing cancer in the body. If detected early, it is highly treatable,” said Madlala.

Treatment options

· Constantly checking blood, heart etc.

· Surgery, means one can undergo operation.

· External beam radiation therapy, where the cancer is burned from outside.

· Home therapy, drugs can be given to cure cancer instead of cutting testes.

· Brachytherapy, means burning the cancer from inside.

· Combination therapy

Madlala concluded by saying that, “If you are diagnosed, don’t panic because it grows very slowly. But make sure you visit doctors so as to be easily monitored.”

Cervix cancer

Dr Gugu Gamedze, a gynaecologist who spoke about cervical cancer, advised women to have regular check ups. She also spoke about causes, symptoms, treatment options, and prevention methods of cervical cancer.

Causes of cervical cancer

· Many sexual partners or becoming very sexually active early. Women who have had many sexual partners generally have a higher risk of becoming infected with HPV, which raises their risk of developing cervical cancer.

· Smoking: increases the risk of developing many cancers including cervical cancer

· Weakened immune system: such as those with HIV or transplant recipients taking immunosuppressive medications.

· Long-term mental stress: women who experience high levels of stress over a sustained period may be less able to fight off HPV.

· Giving birth at a very young age: women who gave birth before the age of 17 are significantly more likely to develop cervical cancer compared with women who had their first baby when they were aged 25 or over.

· Contraceptive pill: long-term use of some common contraceptive pills slightly raises a woman’s risk of getting cervical cancer.

Symptoms of cervical cancer

· Bleeding between periods

· Bleeding after sexual intercourse

· Bleeding in post-menopausal women

· Discomfort during sexual intercourse

· Smelly vaginal discharge

· Vaginal discharge tinged with blood

· Pelvic pain

Treatment options of cervical cancer

· Early stage cancer treatment options: surgery is commonly used when the cancer is confined to the cervix. Radiotherapy may be used after surgery if the doctor believes there may still be cancer cells inside the body.

· Advanced cancer: this type of cancer requires more extensive treatment. The patient will typically be treated with either radiotherapy or a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

· Chemotherapy: the use of chemicals (medication) to treat any disease – in this context, it refers to the destruction of cancer cells.

Prevention of cervical cancer

· Safe sex

· Cervical screening

· Delay first sexual intercourse

· Have fewer sexual partners

Gamedze encouraged women who have been diagnosed with or treated for cervix cancer to do follow-ups even if it feels like they have been cured. “If it is not well treated it might come back after years.

“Cervical cancer runs in the family. If one member of your family had cancer, it is highly likely that you might be diagnosed with it, so it is important that you do check-ups every year so that it can be easily treated if detected early,” said Gamedze.