Message of support by Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla on the occasion of Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign St. Ritas Hospital, Sekhukhune District, Limpopo
Premier of Limpopo, Hon Chupu Mathabatha,
MEC of Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba,
Executive Mayor, Sekhukhune District, Cllr Julia Mathebe,
Mayor of Makhuduthamaga, Cllr Minah Bahula,
Kgoshi D Madihlaba,
Leaders of Faith-Based Community;
Healthcare Workers & Representatives of Labour Unions;
Distinguished Guests;
Members of Community;
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am pleased to here today, to join this community in highlighting the impact of Cancer in our lives, and the importance of regular screening to detect its presence in our bodies for early detecting and successful management. The months of September, October and November are Cancer Awareness Months according to our health calendar which is aligned to the World Health Organization (WHO), starting with cervix cancer, breast to prostate cancer. Although today our focus is on breast cancer.
Cancer is a fast-growing health priority around the world. It is estimated that one in nine individuals will develop cancer in their lifetime, and cancer currently is the second leading cause of global mortality. The demographic changes, meaning population growth and ageing do influence the trend, since the risk of cancer increases significantly with age, as well as epidemiological reasons like increased exposure to risk factors such as pollution and alcohol.
The burden of this disease is disproportionally felt in the low- and middle-income countries, where the majority of new cancer cases and 70% of cancer deaths occur. There is equally a disproportionate allocation of resources as most donor funding tend to be oriented towards communicable diseases rather than non-communicable diseases.
The available information estimates that in 2020, almost 110 000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in South Africa, with more than 56 000 cancer related deaths, representing a quarter of premature non-communicable disease related mortality. This is predicted to increase in the coming decades, with cases to rise to 138 000 and 175 000 in 2030 and 2040, respectively.
Here, in South Africa, the National Cancer Strategic Framework for 2017 – 2022, anchored different control measures that are being implemented, including the legislation to curb tobacco use, screening for early detection of cervical cancer, childhood vaccinations against hepatitis and human papillomavirus with anticipated positive impact on the incidences of hepatocellular and cervical carcinomas in the future.
In responding to both breast and cervical cancer burden, provinces need to accelerate the transitioning from cytology screening to HPV screening according to Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control policy. This is to ensure that as a country we reach the 70% screening target for cervical cancer.
The audits have been done on the equipment at all facilities and plans are in place to replace ageing equipment. During the current financial year 2022/23, about R257m has been allocated in NHI Grant to six provinces to support oncology services.
The National Tertiary Services Grant also allocates funds to oncology services to provinces. For instance, KwaZulu-Natal has received R20m to outsource oncology services, while in the Eastern Cape improvements include replacement of linear accelerator in Livingstone and Frere Hospitals. The same is applicable to Limpopo where funds to outsource same services were set aside.
We are strengthening the management of the pre-cancerous lesions by decentralizing the LLETZ and COLPOSCOPY services to all regional hospitals. Breast cancer focus too is strengthened by establishing Breast Care Units in all regional hospitals, and clinical breast examination should form part of routine primary health service to refer symptomatic patients for sonography or mammography.
The acquisition of the new equipment we have unveiled today is a testimony to our commitment to expand the oncology services in all the provinces through the National Tertiary Services Grant to reduce the backlogs and pressure from other facilities, long waiting periods and travelling time by patients. Here in Limpopo, the province has procured the Mammogram units for the five regional hospitals to provide diagnosing and screening of early breast cancer in underserved communities. This will create opportunity for communities to be educated about the importance of early detection of breast cancer, conditions for early referral and intervention in cases requiring higher level of care, and possibilities for higher survival rate.
In addition, the province has procured the CT scanners for the four regional hospitals, which include St Ritas, Letaba, Tshilidzini and Mokopane, to service the trauma cases in each catchment area. This too reduces the burden of long haul patients planned transport to Polokwane and Mankweng, which contribute to negative patient outcome.
The CT scanner will allow St Rita’s to improve its orthopedic surgery cases and to avoid surgical complications. Combining the CT scan with a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) allows images to be viewed at tertiary level, without the need for transferring the patient.
These are health infrastructure investments aimed at improving the quality of the healthcare service here at the coalface. We aim to continue this to make healthcare accessibility more real and visible in the poor communities.
In conclusion, the sector has a long-term national cancer plan and various programmes are being costed including prostate cancer. As part of efforts to ensure inclusivity of relevant stakeholders working on cancer programmes, the department has established a working group with community groups and NGOs focussing on human resource, equipment and infrastructure
I thank you
