PinkDrive introduces 3D mammography to assist the less fortunate
PinkDrive promote awareness and early detection of cancer and screening for gender-related cancers.
PinkDrive is a health sector non-profit organisation founded in 2009 by Noelene Kotschan on the premise of saving lives.
On June 7, Kotschan, Deputy Minister of Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, and MEC for Health Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko launched a new state-of-the-art mobile 3D mammography unit, at St Stithians College.
According to Kotschan, the mobile unit would be used to conduct cancer screening in people who resided in areas where health services did not reach.
This new mammography system is an advance in the quick detection of lesions in the breasts. The system achieves this by taking multiple X-rays of the breast in an arc and then reconstructing them into a 3D image. This gives the radiographers and oncologists a very clear, detailed image to assess. It can see lesions that would be less visible and less accurately identifiable with 2D mammography.
“Our duty as PinkDrive is to take the trucks where the women stay to help them, not forgetting men because they get breast cancer as well. We are all about early detection and helping our communities,” said Kotschan.
Dhlomo said PinkDrive was reaching out to populations that the department had never served.
“We embraced this as the health department and are here with my team to ensure that we collaborate with PinkDrive so that many more additional contributors can support the vision of PinkDrive,” added Dhlomo.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said, “Our collective mission today requires unity and dedication. PinkDrive promotes early detection in increasing awareness and offers essential support to those who are less fortunate and affected by breast cancer.”
PinkDrive mobile trucks already bring early breast cancer detection to women and men who don’t have ready access to these services. The mobile truck offers mammography as well as assessments and tests for other cancers such as prostate and cervical, travelling far and wide to make life-saving early detection possible.
FIVE BIGGEST RISKS OF BREAST CANCER IN SOUTH AFRICA:
- Excessive alcohol use
- Inherited breast cancer
- Overweight and obesity
- Cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke exposure
- Exposure to the sun.
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