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Afrikaanse Persvrystelling

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has been caring for, and changing lives of countless people for 80 years – thanks to its big family of caring volunteers and staff who are united in the fight against cancer.  As part of National Cancer Week (1 – 7 August) CANSA shows its care and support with the theme ‘CANSA Cares’.

CANSA and the South African community went through a lot of changes during the past 80 years.  Acknowledging the latest international and national changes in the cancer scene, CANSA has identified the now growing need from the general public and cancer survivors for a more holistic supportive care programme.

“Today CANSA wants to encourage cancer survivors to live life to the full and to see themselves as a survivor from the day of diagnosis,” says CANSA CEO and cancer survivor of 27 years, Sue Janse van Rensburg. This resulted in the development of the CANSA Care Centre concept with the main focus on care and support programmes for survivors. These Care Centres deliver holistic care that includes prevention, early detection and support programmes to the cancer survivors and their loved ones across the country.

The CANSA Care Centre approach also recognises that every person responds differently to the words “You have cancer”. Each survivor is evaluated to find the best solution for their particular problem, educate them on how to manage the side effects and complications related to treatment as well as offer holistic support on a physical, spiritual and emotional level.

“We know how scary and stressful a cancer diagnosis can be. That’s why our Cancer Coping Kit (2 audio CDs) is great for anyone recently diagnosed with cancer,” explains Janse Van Rensburg.  “It provides information and practical tools and tips to promote physical, emotional and mental well-being before and during treatment - in short, helping you and your loved ones cope better with cancer.”

The public of South Africa also has the opportunity to show they care by joining the fourth annual ‘Angels Walking for Cancer’, a fundraising initiative where people walk and raise money for the fight against cancer. The 2011 beneficiary is CANSA’s own Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) programme, a comprehensive project that offers children and their families the necessary assistive devices, support and education.  Approximately 5000 people are expected to gather at the Johannesburg Zoo on the 7th of August to raise money for this beneficial initiative. Read more...

• Invested R5 million in cancer research
• Supported 14 000  individual cancer patients through our 159 support groups and our 2800 trained caregivers
• Welcomed 2 400 individual patients to our 13 CANSA Care Lodges, where they were served 126 000 meals during their combined 42 000 night-stay.
• Visited and supported an average of 3 500 patients in oncology clinics while undergoing cancer treatment
• Provided specialist care to more than 600 stoma patients and to about 40 lymphoedema patients every month
• Supported people affected by cancer by providing individual counselling to 20 000 people, and made medical loan equipment available to 3 400 people
• Distributed 700 000 information pamphlets and 15 000 posters in four languages to promote our awareness campaigns

• 10 400 Pap smears and facilitated an additional 4 033 in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) for cervical cancer
• 15 400 Breast examinations to detect breast lumps and facilitated an additional 1 750 in partnership with DOH
• 5 600 PSA tests to detect prostate cancer
• 700 skin examinations and 315 FotoFinder examinations to check for skin cancers
• Abnormalities were detected in approximately 7% of these cases

CANSA offers a unique integrated service to the public and all people affected by cancer. As a leading role-player in cancer research (R5 million spent annually), the scientific findings and knowledge gained from our research are used to realign our health programmes as well as strengthen our watchdog role to the greater benefit of the public.

Our wide-reaching health programme includes prevention and education campaigns, patient care and support in the form of 13 CANSA Care Lodges and the main metropolitan areas plus one hospitium (based in Polokwane) for out-of-town cancer patients, CANSA Care Centres that offer stoma and lymphoedema clinics, medical equipment hire, toll-free line and support to children and their families affected by cancer.

For more information, please contact Lucy Balona, Executive Manager: Marketing and Communication at CANSA or email: lbalona@cansa.org.za, call 011 616 7662 or cell: 082 459 5230.  Or call CANSA toll-free 0800 22 66 22, or email: info@cansa.org.za