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Prostate cancer accounts for 13% of male deaths in South Africa, according to the National Cancer Registry. The register has warned that the lifetime risk for prostate cancer among South African men is one in 15.
Further to this, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports the increasing adoption of risky behaviours. The body highlighted smoking, alcohol abuse, inadequate intake of fibre, fruit and vegetables, and a lack of physical exercise as major contributing factors for increased risk of cancer.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), a registered non-profit organisation (NPO), is rallying support to curb the cancer in a continued effort to ensure that prostate cancer achieves as much awareness as possible.
The Motor Industry Staff Association (Misa), has thrown its weight behind an awareness drive to address prostate cancer, encouraging men to do screening for early detection. The union announced that it has donated funds towards to the PCF’s golf day tournament as part of supporting the health campaign. The tournament is set for 17 May in Midrand, Gauteng.
Martlé Keyter, chief executive officer (CEO) of Misa, said the union’s support and encouragement for men to go for screening stems from the belief that early detection is key in the fight against any cancer.
“The union decided to dedicate our annual golf day to specific issues affecting men’s health, testicular cancer, prostate cancer, mental health, and gender-based violence (GBV). This is to encourage its members to look after their own health and to go for regular check-ups. The union believes the holistic approach of the PCF is vital to the fight against prostate cancer and wants to empower it to continue doing exceptional work,” said Keyter.
Andrew Oberholzer, CEO of the PCF, said the organisation was started to address prostate cancer challenges in South Africa.
“Most South African with prostate cancer, already have advanced or locally advanced prostate cancer. At this stage, the cancer is no longer curable,” he said. Oberholzer said the problem was exacerbated by the fact that black African men have a 60% higher risk of having prostate cancer and are more than twice as likely to die from the disease.
“There are usually no symptoms in the early stages when prostate cancer is curable. A lack of knowledge about the benefits of age-appropriate screening and lack of access to screening remain major challenges. Research commissioned by the Cancer Alliance in 2021 shows that prostate cancer will be the most common cancer in South Africa by 2030. Given this, South Africa needs an organisation dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by prostate cancer. The organisation is led by some of South Africa’s top medical specialists who diagnose, treat, and research prostate cancer daily,” said Oberholzer.
