CANSA – Media Release August 2017

CANSA Offers Complimentary Skin Cancer Screening

The most serious type of skin cancer is melanoma, with South Africa having the highest incidence in the world.

In a bid to reduce the scourge of this disease, CANSA is partnering with the Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa, on National Skin Cancer Screening Day, on 1 September 2017, by offering free FotoFinder mole examinations at all their main metro CANSA Care Centres, as well as at participating dermatologists nationwide.  #MelanomaAwareness

“As a proud partner of the Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa, CANSA is looking forward to taking part. We have FotoFinder devices at most CANSA Care Centres in South Africa, allowing us to examine moles and spots to help lower the risk of skin cancer,” says Gerda Strauss, CANSA Head: Service Delivery.

FotoFinder Assists with Early Detection

The FotoFinder is a mole mapping and dermascope device used in skin cancer screening and is neither invasive nor painful.

Early detection, minimises the severity of the disease, as well as reduces and prevents severe disfigurement. #LowerCancerRisk

According to CANSA, skin cancer is on the rise and diagnosis continues to be seen in much younger individuals. However, the good news is that the risk of skin cancer can be reduced, by simply being more SunSmart and properly protecting bodies in order to lower the risk. #SunSmart

Free Screening 1st September

Free FotoFinder screenings will be on offer on 1 September 2017 at the following CANSA Care Centres:

·         Eastern Cape – CANSA East London Care Centre: 043-727 0120

·         Free State – CANSA Bloemfontein Care Centre: 051-444 2580

·         Gauteng – CANSA Pretoria Care Centre: 012-329 3036

·         KZN – CANSA Pietermaritzburg Care Centre: 033 342 9837

·         Mpumalanga – CANSA Nelspruit Care Centre: 013-741 5441

·         Northern Cape – at the Kimberley Gariep Festival
(2 September 2017): 053-831 2968

·         Western Cape – Cape Metro Care Centre: 021-689 5347

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. It occurs when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations, or genetic defects, that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumours. Many dermatologists believe that increased UV exposure resulting from the hole in the ozone layer, has contributed greatly to the rise in melanoma rates over the past two decades.

View the CANSA Car Melanoma campaign

 {for which FCB Cape Town won a Loerie 2017 Bronze Award for Media Innovation}

 

Call for Applications: Pre-Forum Youth Workshop at the 2nd Global NCD Alliance 2017

A Pre-Forum Youth Workshop will be organized on 7-8 December ahead of the 2nd Global NCD Alliance Forum from 9-11 December 2017, in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates on the theme of Stepping up the pace on NCDs: making 2018 count. 

The Global NCD Alliance Forum 2017 will be held by the NCD Alliance in partnership with local host organization – Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) and under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al-Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and Royal Patron of Friends of Cancer Patients, International Ambassador of the World Cancer Declaration for Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC and Patron of the First Global NCD Alliance Forum.

The youth workshop aims to support the meaningful engagement of youth advocates in the Forum proceedings and the global NCD movement in the long term. Youth delegates from across the world will work together to enrich and energise civil society advocacy activities leading up to the UN High-level Meeting on NCDs in 2018.

The Forum’s Youth Planning Committee has announced a Call for Applications inviting youth advocates passionate about NCDs from across the world. Limited travel grants are available and the last date to apply is 1 September 2017.

Please note this is for applicants 30 years and younger.

Minister of Health launches Breast and Cervical Cancer policies

The Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will this week launch two critical cancer policies namely, Cervical and Breast Cancer policies aimed at addressing high mortality caused by these cancers, management of the condition as well as improve the quality of life of women in South Africa.

Breast and Cervical cancers have been identified amongst the leading cause of deaths among South African women, especially women aged 30 years and older.

While the Cervical cancer prevention and control policy will assist to prevent the disease by promoting healthy lifestyle and provide Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, the Breast cancer control policy will focus on breast cancer awareness, early detection, treatment and care. The implementation of both policies will provide clinical support for women, who are both at risk of developing the disease later in life and currently undergoing treatment to survive and live healthy lives.

The Department of Health is working on a 10-year plan to equip hospitals with the necessary facilities to care and support patients with cancer in an effort to address the Hospital Service Equity and accessibility for women.

The Cervical Cancer prevention and control Policy will enable the introduction of new screening technique called liquid-based cytology which is an improvement from papsmear technique and is more comfortable and produce reliable results.

The Breast cancer control policy will allow women who are diagnosed early to have access to treatment such as Trutusumab which will prolong life if treatment is completed and minimise the recurrence of the disease women.

End
South African National Department of Health

Minister of Health launches Breast and Cervical Cancer policies

The Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will this week launch two critical cancer policies namely, Cervical and Breast Cancer policies aimed at addressing high mortality caused by these cancers, management of the condition as well as improve the quality of life of women in South Africa.

Breast and Cervical cancers have been identified amongst the leading cause of deaths among South African women, especially women aged 30 years and older.

While the Cervical cancer prevention and control policy will assist to prevent the disease by promoting healthy lifestyle and provide Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, the Breast cancer control policy will focus on breast cancer awareness, early detection, treatment and care. The implementation of both policies will provide clinical support for women, who are both at risk of developing the disease later in life and currently undergoing treatment to survive and live healthy lives.

The Department of Health is working on a 10-year plan to equip hospitals with the necessary facilities to care and support patients with cancer in an effort to address the Hospital Service Equity and accessibility for women.

The Cervical Cancer prevention and control Policy will enable the introduction of new screening technique called liquid-based cytology which is an improvement from papsmear technique and is more comfortable and produce reliable results.

The Breast cancer control policy will allow women who are diagnosed early to have access to treatment such as Trutusumab which will prolong life if treatment is completed and minimise the recurrence of the disease women.

End
South African National Department of Health