October is International Breast Cancer month. Breast Cancer
Awareness Month in South Africa reflects a nationwide drive by public and
private healthcare structures to raise awareness of this debilitating disease
across all races and class structures.
Cancer results when cells grow out of control and form a tumour.
Cancer is not just one disease but many diseases. There are more than 100
different types of cancer. The cancer is very serious if the tumour begins to
spread throughout the body. Most cancers are named for the organ or type of cell
in which they start, for example, cancer that begins in the colon is called
colon cancer. The most common forms of cancer are colon, lung, breast and
prostate cancer.
One in six South African men and one in seven South African women
will get cancer during their lives. Cancer knows no boundaries of class, race,
gender or age. It can strike anyone at any time. However early detection of the
condition can lead to effective treatment and a positive prognosis. About 90% of
patients survive for many years after diagnosis when cancer is detected at the
early stages.
Despite awareness campaigns cancer myths linger. Many people believe
mobile phones can cause brain cancer, or if you have a lump on your breast you
may have cancer even worse only people who smoke are at risk of getting cancer.
Watch Shift on Tuesday 2 October where we will separate cancer myths from truth
and discuss cancer detection treatment and post treatment
care.
Our Questions To You Are:
·
Do you and your friends ever discuss the disease of cancer amongst
one another? What kind of information do you share and is there any truth in
it?
·
Have you ever examined yourself or gone to a health professional
(doctor or nurse) to check for the risk of cancer? What was your experience like
and where they helpful?
·
Do you believe enough information is being shared publicly about
cancer in our communities?
·
Have you ever been diagnosed with cancer? Was the diagnosis correct?
Did you go and get a second opinion? What was your immediate reaction when you
found out?
·
Are you living with cancer and surviving? How are you managing? Are
your friends and family supportive? What advice can you give to someone who has
just found out that they might have cancer?
·
Are you on cancer treatment like chemotherapy? Tell us of your
experiences?
·
How many people in your community believe that cancer is the work of
“witchcraft/sorcery (boloi or ukuthakathiwa)”? What do you have to
say?
Health Poll Question:
·
Are you afraid of cancer (breast)? What have you heard about the
disease that makes you scared? Answer Yes or No to SHIFT ON SABC 1: FACEBOOK.
Viewers can also write to us atshift@sabc.co.za
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