NCDs group top cause of death in S Africa – Time for action

NCDs group top cause of death in S Africa – Time for action

NCDs accounted for 57.4% of deaths in 2016 while communicable diseases were responsible for 31,3% of deaths. According to StatisticsSA this confirms that South Africa is in the midst of epidemiological change.

The annual Statistics SA cause of death report for 2016 provides the most recent information on levels, trends and patterns in mortality by socio-demographic and geographic characteristics. Information on deaths from 1997 to 2016 are added for context.
Click here to download the full PDF report

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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.

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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

Which 3 provinces met cervical cancer screening targets in 2014?

Cervical cancer screening coverage by province

Cervical cancer screening coverage by province

Cancer of the cervix (CaCx) is the only NCDs indicator monitored in the District Health Barometer 2013-2014 due its historical focus on Millennium Development Goals.

  • Cervical cancer (CaCx) is the 2nd most frequent cancer among SA women
  • Most frequent cancer among women between 15-44 years
  • 43 million women aged ≥15 years are at risk
  • 7,735 women are diagnosed with CaCx every year
  • 4, 248 die from CaCx.
  • 21% of women in the general population are estimated to have cervical HPV infection at a given time
  • Over 60% of invasive CaCx are attributed to HPVs 16 or 18.m
  • HPV vaccination of girls before sexual activity is the best primary prevent

It is the nearly 20 million women who are at risk that need the CaCx screening and the ones below are only of women 30 and older. Only screening tests are considered… that is to find those who need further investigation.

  • 1st place: KZN is the best performing province for the second year running.
  • 2nd place:  North West improved increased its performance by 13.1%
  • 3rd place: Western Cape