M Tshabalala-Msimang: World Cancer Day and Reproductive Health Month
launch

4 February 2006

Programme Director,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen

I am honoured to be here today to join you in observing the World Cancer Day
with the rest of the global community. At the same time, South Africa has
declared February as the Reproductive Health Month. Today, we are observing the
beginning of this month that is aimed at highlighting the importance of
Reproductive Healthcare.

We decided as the Department of Health to broaden our campaign and raise
awareness about cancer. Cancer is a chronic disease, caused by abnormal
multiplication of body cells. This can happen in any part of the body, for
example the brain, stomach, colon, rectum, eyes, skin, bones, blood and
reproductive organs.

This disease can affect people of all ages. Children and young people are
not immune to cancer. They can be affected by for example cancer of the blood
(leukaemia), of the skin and of the bones. Adults and older people are affected
by various forms of cancer including that of the reproductive organs (cervical
in females, prostate and testicular in males as well as breast cancer in both
males and females).

Other cancers include; cancer of the lungs, colon, oesophagus, uterus and
ovarian, particularly in the elderly.

What causes cancer?

In most cases, the cause of cancer is not known. It may run in families.
However, there are unhealthy behaviours that increase the risk of developing
certain types of cancer. These include:
* Smoking, including passive smoking for non-smokers and children
* Excessive exposure to the sun
* Overweight, obesity and lack of or inadequate physical activities
* Unhealthy diet

Cancer develops gradually and at the beginning, you may not feel any pain.
Because of no pain, most people delay seeking health advice. There are no
specific symptoms of cancer, but what should raise suspicion if the following
are persistent despite treatment:
* Change in colour and size of any part of your body
* Frequent inappropriate bruising
* Loss of energy
* White blaze in the eyes
* A sore that does not heal
* Unusual bleeding and discharge
* Tenderness
* Indigestion
* And ongoing cough

Therefore, if you observe any of the signs I have just mentioned and they
are persistent despite treatment, you should seek medical advice as soon as
possible.
Practices such as, monthly self-breast and testicular examinations are
beneficial for early diagnosis and will enable those who are affected to
receive early treatment, care and support.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind all care givers, especially
parents of the “boy-child” to also check the presence of testicles in the
scrotal sac. This is critical because if testicles do not descend to the
scrotal sac, this can lead to cancer and infertility later in life. It is
encouraging to know that eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, increasing
physical activities, refraining from smoking and reducing excessive alcohol
intake can reduce the risks of acquiring cancer. It is against this background
that the Department of Health, together with all relevant partners, are
promoting healthy lifestyles in our communities.

For the past two years we have embarked on the Healthy Lifestyles campaign
throughout the country. The campaign aims at empowering communities with the
necessary knowledge and skills to respond appropriately to some of the harmful
diseases of lifestyle. The following are some of the activities we have
initiated to strengthen the campaign:

* The establishment of the multi-sectoral task team consisting of private
sector, public sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and
community-based organisations (CBOs).
* House-to-house health education
* Health Screening Services
* Establishment of community-based food garden projects
* Move for Health walks to promote regular physical activity
* Celebration of Healthy Lifestyles Awareness days
* And Izimbizo to promote Healthy Lifestyles

I also wish to make you aware that as we observe today, 4 February 2006, as
World Cancer Day, 15 February, is a day dedicated to Childhood Cancer.

Programme Director, several reproductive health awareness days are going to
be observed throughout the February month and beyond. The purpose of this
campaign is to inform and educate communities about all reproductive health
issues. The first activity will be the Sexually Transmitted Infections
(STI)/Condom Week, which coincides with the week of Valentines Day. During this
week, we will be highlighting the importance of preventing and treating STI and
the use of condoms under the theme “Just the two of us can prevent STIs”. Other
activities will focus on highlighting, family planning services, antenatal care
and raising awareness about the Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act
Reproductive health implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe
sex life. They have the capability to reproduce and freedom to decide if, when
and how often they bear children.

Therefore in our campaign, we will be informing communities on the
reproductive rights of men and women and encouraging everyone to participate in
health screening. The theme of the Reproductive Health Month is “ Save the
Nation: Strengthen Reproductive Health”. We need to educate our children and
young people, so that they grow to become responsible adults practicing healthy
lifestyles.

As the Department of Health we are committed to continue providing free
access to Reproductive Health services. We are committed to strengthen
implementation of policies and guidelines that are in place to improve the
health particularly of women and children. We are also committed to improve the
quality of our service delivery, through preventive and rehabilitative
programmes.

Mphakathi waseQetho, asisebenzise nazi izinto uhulumeni azilethile ukuze
sihlole izimpilo zethu.

Akudingeki ukuba ukhokhe.

Asizivikele ezifweni. Kuyashiwo ngesilungu ukuthi ukuvikela kungcono
kunokwelapha.

Issued by: Ministry of Health
4 February 2006
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za/)