Friday (4 February) marks World Cancer Day, and in significance thereof the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is calling on everyone to use their influence to help “close the gap in cancer care.”
The new three-year campaign calls for action to address the issue of unfair access to cancer services. The campaign aims to promote greater equity in health care provision for all people affected by cancer, no matter who they are or where they live.
Cansa CEO Elize Joubert explains how the association is actively working to close the gap in cancer care: “Cancer patients in our country may have a very different experience regarding access to cancer screening services, receiving timeous diagnoses, cancer treatment and support, depending on their socioeconomic status and where they live. This may lead to wide differences in the risks of developing and surviving cancer. This gap needs to be overcome and Cansa is tirelessly working towards reducing this inequity.”
Early detection is key to overcoming a cancer diagnosis, but people who live in remote areas don’t always have access to information on how to lower their cancer risk or to cancer screening. Cansa helps close the gap in cancer care by partnering with organisations such as Hollard Daredevil, Avon Justine and ILoveBoobies to sponsor mobile health clinic visits in remote areas to offer these services, which would otherwise be inaccessible.
Joubert adds, “Many patients can’t afford transport to or accommodation near treatment centres and live far away. Our Cansa Care Homes meet their needs by providing a home away from home, including meals and transport, making it possible for patients, who would otherwise not be able to, to receive treatment. And our Cansa TLC Lodges accommodate parents of children receiving treatment, providing families with food and care packages to help them cope with the costs associated with treatment.”
Cansa offers free counselling through its Tele Counselling service in seven languages as well as Tele Stoma support making counselling and stoma support accessible to all. The association’s website also provides free online resources and links to support groups for cancer patients, caregivers and loved ones.
Fighting cancer together
Health Promotion agrees that partnerships are critical to helping Cansa to close the care gap by spreading the message of awareness of symptoms, early detection and lowering cancer risk effectively.
“We provide information regarding the top cancers affecting men and women in South Africa and we’re grateful to partners who help us do so,” said Lorraine Govender, Cansa National Manager. “Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among South African women, but the cancer women die of the most in our country. Stigma and ostracization surrounding cervical cancer can make women reluctant to seek cancer screening. We help break down the stigma through educational campaigns that include radio spots and a video.
Lung cancer, another prevalent cancer among men and women, is often diagnosed too late. This concern led to Cansa forming a partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal for a Multinational Lung Cancer Control Programme (UKZN-MLCCP). The goal is to improve local communities’ knowledge and awareness of lung cancer, its risk factors and symptoms, through Cansa trained MLCCP Volunteers, and to impact attitudes towards lung cancer positively, screening and palliative care. A lung-cancer awareness video was produced to reach a wider audience with information to promote early detection.
“Men also face the negative effects of gender discrimination and societal and cultural taboos,” added Govender. “Social norms surrounding masculinity may make them less willing to discuss health concerns and consider available life-saving procedures, for early-stage prostate cancer. Cansa recently launched a monthly Men Supporting Men online support group to help men cope with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.”
Training to close the care gap
Cansa’s Head of Advocacy, Zodwa Sithole, is presenting training to Traditional Health Practitioners nationally from 26 January to 23 March, to provide education on prevalent cancers, treatment, side effects, and the importance of early detection and quick referral. In this way, Cansa aims to close the care gap between cancer diagnosis and receiving timeous treatment in communities who depend on traditional health practitioners for advice.
WCD 21 Days to Impact Challenge
Sign up to one of three 21-day challenges to receive daily inspiration and practical guidance per email: close the care gap; focus on your health or eliminate cervical cancer. Throughout, you’ll be encouraged each day to make an impact through small, meaningful actions.
Visit cansa.org.za/category/world-cancer-day-4-feb/ for more details, and of activities Cansa will be participating in.
