Cancer cases on the rise in Zululand region

AS cancer cases rise globally, the Zululand region is not immune to this worrying trend, with local incidences spiking this year.

Lifestyle choices and environmental factors play a major role in the prevalence of cancer, but the rising numbers are also influenced by a lack of timeous screening, delays in results and treatment at public hospitals.

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This was revealed by Zululand Hospice GM Christine Samuel at the NPO’s women’s event earlier this month.

“Since 2018, cancer has represented 25 – 30% of Hospice patients annually, but this year that figure rose to 50%,” said Samuel.

Zululand Hospice cared for 89 patients between January and September this year, with 52.8% diagnosed with cancer.

“Huge contributing factors are the lack of timeous screening, delays in results and treatment at public hospitals. The result is that we only get referred and see patients who are already in stage 3 and 4 of their cancer,” said Samuel.

Zululand Hospice’s rising cancer statistics reflect a greater global warning of a 77% increase in cancer cases by 2050.

Richards Bay radiologist Dr Kavistra Udarajh, a director at Richardson Udarajh & Partners Inc, attributes the rise in cancer cases to environmental factors and lifestyle choices.

“Alcohol use, tobacco use, obesity and poor nutrition are major contributors to cancer rate increases overall.”

“Exposure to air pollution is also a contributing factor, and never discard psychological stress. This wreaks havoc on the body,” she said.
Dr Udarajh encourages early diagnosis as vital for a better outcome.

“It’s important to keep up with regular screenings such as mammograms for breast cancer, colonoscopies for colorectal cancer and PSA testing for prostate cancer.”

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