Dieketseng Mofokeng of Qwaqwa in the Free State, like many people, has always associated skin cancer with fair-skinned people, believing that darker skin offered greater protection from the sun.
After discovering she had stage four breast cancer at 31, a survivor is using her experience to educate rural communities like the one she grew up in.
Despite similar incidence of skin cancer in Australia and South Africa, the authorities "down under" have acted far more decisively to ensure that the public understands the dangers of over-exposure to the sun's harmful rays. South Africa needs to get beyond the misperception that skin cancer is something that affects only a pale minority. by Tim Dodd
Corrie Koekemoer (68) Kempton Park pensioner ' three children and three grandchildren
A breast-cancer survivor from a rural Limpopo village shares how understanding the disease helped her beat it. Breast cancer has now overtaken lung cancer as the world most-diagnosed cancer, but survival rates are low in low-income countries.
The first Sunday of June is National Cancer Survivors Day, commemorated in South Africa and other parts of the world. But much needs to be done here to increase awareness.
Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in South Africa, affecting approximately 1 in every 29 women. Whilst cancer cannot always be prevented, early detection does allow for a greater chance of a full recovery. In this insert Nosipho Mgoma shares her reality of breast cancer and shows that it can affect younger woman and if detected late, can have devastating consequences.
Josephine stepped up to the podium, looked out at the 100 women and a few men, and began her introduction with these words:'I am just an ordinary woman. And I survived cancer.'
The theme for World Cancer Day on 4 February is "I am and I will"—encapsulating the spirit and strength of the cancer community in South Africa and around the world.
Appearance, sexual performance and ability to conceive are greater incentives to quit smoking than the risk of cancer and other health problems, a recent survey revealed.
CAPE TOWN - Diabetes, respiratory diseases, some cancers and cardiovascular disease, the cause of over 50% of the disease burden in the world, can be decreased substantially by focusing on nutrition, encouraging physical activity and curbing smoking, Dr Craig Nossel of Discovery Health told a debate at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa.
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