THE CEO of the recently opened Richards Bay Medical Institute (RBMI), which houses the most sophisticated cancer radiation therapy treatment facility in Africa, says in his many years in the medical industry he has not not seen such a high incidence of cancer as in Richards Bay and surrounds.
Mark Palmer admits he shares the public perception that the rate of cancer in the City of uMhlathuze is among the highest in the country?
Having admitted its first oncology patient just three months ago, RBMI is already seeing vast numbers of cancer patients, most of whom have spent years in the city.
On one day alone last week, an oncologist saw more than 30 patients.
‘For a community this size there is a significant incidence of cancer, and we are seeing new patients every day,’ said Palmer.
Not wishing to be drawn into the cause of the high numbers without supporting scientific data, Palmer did, however, say air and water quality, along with diet, are always concerns when it came to cancer.
He was especially disturbed about high levels of chlorine in tap water as the chemical has proven links to cancer.
‘Although all types of cancer are prevalent here, we do have a much higher rate of pelvic, abdominal and breast cancers as opposed to cranial and throat cancers.
‘The ratio is normally about 10 to 1, but we are seeing almost double that proportion here.’
Palmer said proper statistics should become public record, ‘so that constructive steps can be taken to rectify problems’.
This view was echoed by community activist Sandy Camminga, also a founder member of the Richards Bay Clean Air Association.
‘For many years residents have believed we have an abnormally high incidence of cancer and respiratory problems and that some in the medical profession are willing to declare this to patients behind closed doors, but not publicly.’
*Mark Palmer is to address the Ward 2 public meeting on 27 March on the topic: ‘How does what we eat, drink and breathe relate to cancer?’
