SAPS and pharmacy in Bethal raise cancer awareness

The Bethal SAPS Men for Change and Women’s Network and The Local Choice Pharmacy wrapped up Breast Cancer Awareness Month by hosting an internal awareness event for officials at the Bethal SAPS on October 28.

Sergeant Thomas Mogadime, the deputy chairperson of the Mpumalanga Men For Change, said the campaign brought them together to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer, promote education and support patients and survivors of the disease.

The campaign educated members about breast cancer and outlined the controllable and uncontrollable risk factors. Sister Thandeka Mathebula of The Local Choice Pharmacy said in her presentation that the cause of breast cancer remains unknown and that breast cancer risk is higher among women whose first-degree blood relatives have this disease.

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer:
• Swelling of all or part of the breast;
• Skin changes like dimpling, scaling, redness or thickening;
• Nipple pain or a change in how the nipple looks;
• Abnormal nipple discharge;
• A lump in the underarm area;
• Rarely breast pain.

Members were encouraged to perform breast cancer self-awareness and examination, and to have the necessary exams with regular check-ups, especially for those with a family history or relatives with breast cancer.

Mathebula highlighted the primary health services offered at The Local Choice Pharmacy Cosmos, which include:
• blood pressure monitoring;
• glucose screening;
• weight management;
• HIV screening, testing and counselling;
• Weight, measurement and development assessments;
• Free blood checks on Wednesdays for pensioners;
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications, and health products.

Mathebula also briefly addressed prostate cancer. She said it is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the prostate gland, a part of the male reproductive system, which can cause symptoms like frequent urination or blood in the urine, though early-stage cancer is often asymptomatic.

Diagnosis involves a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and a biopsy, and treatment options range from monitoring to surgery, radiation or hormonal therapy, depending on the cancer’s stage and type.

Lieutenant Colonel Tsekiso Tseole, the Bethal SAPS station commander, thanked the nurses from The Local Choice Pharmacy for their informative presentation and the members for their participation.

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