CANSA celebrates Women’s Day
Women who recognise any changes in their bodies or any symptoms are urged to contact CANSA urgently.
In celebration of Women’s Day, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) visited the Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital and held a cancer awareness talk on Thursday, 8 August.
This was led by Sister Iselle van Wyk and Isabel Gomes from the Roodepoort CANSA office, and they were joined by Mrs Africa finalist, Pertunia Malingisa, who is also the newest CANSA ambassador. One of Pertunia’s roles is to spread the cancer-awareness message while raising funds to enable CANSA to continue its care and services.
The talk focused on educating the patients on the rights women have to cancer screening.
In a statement released by CANSA, it states that they support the National Department of Health’s efforts to prioritise breast and cervical cancer awareness.
“We also support the efforts to equip women with knowledge of symptoms, screening opportunities and lowering cancer risk,” read the statement.
Gerda Strauss, CANSA’s head of service delivery emphasised the importance of screening and early detection, “We urge women to get to know what is normal for their bodies, so that when they do a monthly breast self-examination, they may detect any changes, signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Get to know the warning signs and symptoms.”
Women who recognise any changes in their bodies or any symptoms are urged to contact CANSA urgently.
“Women who have no symptoms of breast cancer should request an annual Clinical Breast Exam when visiting primary health care centres as it’s their right, as per the National Department of Health Breast Cancer Control Policy. Women with a family history of breast cancer should be especially aware of symptoms and not neglect screening,” added Gerda.
