to screen their bodies
15 October 2007
The Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Eastern Cape Department of
Health, Mrs Nomsa Jajula urged people to screen their bodies in order to detect
early signs of breast, cervical and prostate cancer. Speaking at the national
Breast, Cervical and Prostate Cancer Awareness Day at the Molteno stadium in
Inkwanca Municipality on 13 October 2007, she said 9 566 women were screened
for the above-mentioned conditions and only 51 men came through to be screened,
thus posing a challenge to the men. She then pleaded with men to go for
screenings as the service was still in process at the event.
"We certainly hope that the leaders of this area will instil the education
and awareness created by all these healthcare workers in the area and it will
have a positive impact in the avoiding of preventable illnesses", MEC Jajula
said. These commemorations were part of a proactive measure, because the area
has no recorded cancer statistics. The event started with a build up two weeks
prior, where 20 health workers and 50 voluntary workers conducted door-to-door
awareness campaigns in the area.
To enhance the results and to ensure a comprehensive approach to
preventative and promotive health, a partnership with the Cancer Association of
South Africa was formed. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa also
came to screen heart, stroke and diabetes and also gave advice on healthy
lifestyles. Various healthcare services like breast, cervical and prostate
cancer screening, heart, stroke and diabetes screening, Pap smear, eye testing
and many other services were rendered on site during the event.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
12 October 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoh.gov.za)
