Cancer week kicks off

NELSPRUIT – The local CANSA branch is going full-steam ahead to celebrate cancer week, which kicks off today.

This year the organisation’s focus for is on its care homes. These centres provide accommodation to patients who are undergoing treatment at oncology clinics far from home. Because Lowveld patients typically travel to Pretoria for treatment, there is no such facility locally.

However, Sr Rona Labuschagne, manager of the cancer care centre in Nelspruit, is putting another spin on the matter. “We will offer the community various services over the next week,” she said. From August 2 to 8, men can undergo a free protein specific antigen (PSA) test.

It consists of a finger pick for blood, to determine whether a man’s level of PSA is elevated. Elevation can have various causes, like an infection, enlargement of the prostate or cancer. For a patient, an elevated level indicates that he should undergo further testing.

Other available screenings are a pap smear and breast examination (R160), breast examination (R40) and skin examination (R40). “The early detection of cancer gives the patient an excellent chance of being cured,” Labuschagne says. “Healthy lifestyle risk assessments are also offered to the community at no charge.”

The organisation’s support groups connect patients, long-term survivors and their loved ones with others who have been treated. They can provide patients with insight, moral support and understanding.

CANSA Lowveld also recently started a Pink Link Breast Support Group. “Anybody who hears the words, ‘You have breast cancer’ is welcome to phone us. The volunteers trained to support the patients are people who have also heard those words. Don’t do it alone,” she said.

The organisation strives to create a cancer-free world through its motto of, ““Research, educate, support”. CANSA therefore provides care and support at its care homes, not only to the patients but also their friends, loved ones and care givers.

There are 12 care homes throughout the country. Guests typically stay for an average of six weeks and are provided with meals as well as transport to and from treatment centres. Care facilities in Gauteng are Keurboom in Johannesburg, Lukholweni in Soweto and Tipuana, while Pretoria has TLC Nicus Lodge at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, which is a self-catering facility offering 47 beds.

There are also the Theunis Fichardt Hospitium and CANSA TLC Paediatric Oncology Ward at the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital in Polokwane. The Mkhuhla care home is in Durban.

Enquiries: Sr Rona Labuschagne on 013-741-5441, 083-417-8368 or rlabuschagne@cansa.org.za