BLOEMFONTEIN: Scores of South African men lose their lives to prostate cancer, although it is highly treatable when detected early. It is estimated that the death rate in South Africa is 13%, while globally it is estimated at 6,6%.
Parallel to these statistics, organisations in Bloemfontein have partnered to embark on a drive dubbed Early Detection Saves Lives. They include the Choc Foundation (Free State and Northern Cape), CANSA Free State as well as Chief Leeuw Foundation.This is chiefly to encourage men to undergo screening as part of curbing the disease and improving men’s health, coinciding with Cancer Awareness Month observed during September and which continues during October.
The Mangaung Prostate Cancer Awareness walk on Wednesday, September 24, paved the way for the events during October. According to Lorraine Govender, national manager for CANSA, said screening is key to a man’s health.
“When caught before it spreads beyond the prostate, more than 99% of men are still alive five years after diagnosis. Early detection through screening can make all the difference between full recovery and a terminal diagnosis. Silence and stigma keep men away from the clinic. Many avoid health checks due to cultural taboos, fear of diagnosis, and misconceptions about prostate cancer,” she said.
“Men are often diagnosed too late. In South Africa, most men present with late-stage prostate cancer when the disease is no longer curable. Treatment for advanced prostate cancer involves removing testosterone (androgen deprivation therapy) which has life-changing side effects.
“As the cancer progresses it becomes resistant to treatment and a multidisciplinary team is required to manage the patient, which is expensive and not always available in South Africa’s resource constrained public sector,” Govender said.
The findings revealed that men at a higher risk for prostate cancer include black African men from the age of 40, and those with a family history of breast or prostate cancer.
“Education empowers families, not just patients,” said Govender.
