EMPANGENI Helen Ludwig CANSA Care Centre has been hard at work to debunk the myths of cancer and offer quality screening and testing to community members.
The centre deals with Papanicolaou tests, commonly referred to as Pap Smears, Breast Examinations and Prostate Specific Antigen blood tests known as PSA; and also offer walk-in and call-out counselling care and support to patients.
‘Apart from testing, the counselling, telephonic follow-ups, community awareness talks, CANSA fund-raising support group initiatives and the selling of carro-omega E tablets and breast prosthesis keeps us very busy,’ said Helen Ludwig CANSA Care Centre Sister Jean Moyo.
According to statistics from January to March, screening and testing has taken place in Obanjeni, Ndlovini, Dlangubo, Lavender Lane and the rural outskirts of Ngwelezane.
‘About 35 pap smears were done, 40 breast examinations and 34 PSA tests were carried out during this time period,’ said Moyo.
Rural community outreach testing and screening is done free of charge, however, walk-in clients are required to set an appointment at the house for testing at affordable costs.
‘There has been an overall increase in screening and testing, but we don’t have as many walk-in clients and we want to create more awareness to our local residents,’ said uThungulu CANSA Regional Manager Aletta Williams.
‘Mrs SA 2014 finalist Skhulile Masuku has also been incredibly supportive. She helped out at our awareness campaign last weekend which raised R1 400,’ she said.
‘I started supporting CANSA in 2012 when a very close friend and colleague, at the non-profit organisation I am involved in, was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Since then, I get going on anything to help, from shavathons to community awareness campaigns,’ said home-grown Mrs SA finalist Skhulile Masuku.
‘As a finalist, it is required that we are involved with our regional CANSA care centre. My aim is to create awareness especially in the rural communities. There is a bad stigma attached to the infirmity that it is a ‘white-peoples’ illness’ which is a terrible myth,’ added Masuku.
Every Thursday the house hosts 30 cancer patients from Ngwelezane to receive their chemotherapy treatment.
‘The environment we offer is comfortable and homely so it makes their experience a little more bearable. We provide patients with sandwiches and refreshments and need volunteers willing to offer some supplies on Thursdays for our patients,’ added Williams.
