October is marked across the globe as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To increase awareness and promote early detection, the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, in partnership with PinkDrive, will conduct an outreach programme at the Midvaal Local Municipality, Gauteng Province.
The outreach, which targets women and men living in under-serviced communities, focuses on education, prevention and the provision of free early diagnosis for breast, cervical, prostate and testicular cancers. The main goal of this initiative is to save lives through early diagnosis and early intervention services by keeping parents alive and giving children a chance to a normal family life.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are about 1.38 million new cases and 458 000 deaths from breast cancer each year. Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries. It is estimated that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. In South Africa, cancer is a growing national health and developmental challenge, with deaths due to cancer representing approximately 9% of all-cause mortality in adults (National Cancer Strategic Framework 2017 – 2022).
Lack of awareness and access to facilities for early diagnosis, treatment and the cost of screening are some of the major reasons that contribute to breast cancer as one of the emerging causes of deaths in South Africa. To improve awareness and access to care, girls, women and men receive free pap smear and clinical self-examination education, which is key to early detection and save many lives from preventable diseases. This includes improving health literacy and reducing stigma associated with cancer.
The Midvaal event is part of the year-long campaign between Social Development and PinkDrive to reach out to women and men who are at risk but do not have medical aid or insurance.
The media is invited to attend the Midvaal Outreach Programme scheduled as follows:
Date: Monday, 7 October 2019
Venue: Sicelo Multipurpose Centre, Meyerton - Midvaal Local Municipality
Time: 8h00-16h00
Members of the media interested in covering and attending the Midvaal outreach programme can RSVP by contacting Ms Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane on 066 480 6845/ e-mail: NomfundoLe@dsd.gov.za
Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067 or LumkaO@dsd.gov.za
