Heidelberg Hospital partners with Pink Drive on cancer

With minimal attention towards the mushrooming of dread diseases, cancer is still considered to be rife among many households, which is why the Gauteng Department of Health partnered with Pink Drive to combat the scourge of dread diseases like cancer.

During the initiative, patients underwent various screenings, including breast examinations, pap smears and prostate antigen testing for men.

According to maternal, neonatal, child, women’s health and nutrition, headed by Jane Ntsoele, it is time for stakeholders to collaborate and tackle the spread of cancer.

“As government in the provincial and district sphere, we saw a need to roll out these services in our district hospitals because there is a high number of women diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer. Most women present themselves very late in our facilities because of having only one regional hospital that provides mammogram services within the district.

“Today’s support visit was to strengthen and ensure that as a district hospital, we will initiate the Breast Clinic from the next financial year,” Ntsoele committed.

Though such campaigns seem successful in the early detection of cancer, to continually inform the public about this disease, extensive health education is needed.

“There is a big gap when it comes to cancer screening. Many people do not pay attention to cancer because they perceive it as a family linkage-acquired disease, which is not necessarily the fact. As healthcare workers, we must sensitise the public about the real causes of cancer.

“Some patients were not even aware that hormonal contraceptives can put you at risk for cancer. I am sharing this information to ensure it reaches everyone in every area,” said Alegent Moshaba, a registered nurse at Pink Drive.

The Heidelberg Hospital thanked Pink Drive for an outstanding collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Health in saving the lives of Gauteng citizens.