For this year’s Men’s Health campaign, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) wants all to remember the importance of men investing in their health. South African men have a one in eight (1:8) risk of getting cancer in their lifetime.
The top cancers affecting men (in SA) is prostate cancer, Kaposi sarcoma (type of skin cancer), lung and colorectal cancer. It’s also important to know about other cancers affecting men, such as testicular cancer (which is common in young men between the ages of 15 and 39), and HPV related cancers including penile and anal cancer. More than 30 to 40 types of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) are typically transmitted through sexual contact and infect the anogenital area, which in some cases, can result in cancer.
“Most men know that prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers, with a lifetime risk of one in 27. We hope to encourage men to not only be aware of the known cancer dangers, but also to educate themselves about other cancer risks, such as those of lung, colorectal, skin, testicular, anal and penile cancer. CANSA also wants you to know that there are screening tests that you can undergo, which will help identify your cancer risk,” says Elize Joubert, CANSA’s CEO.
As a testicular cancer survivor, Marc Curlewis (35) wants to encourage men to go for regular screening. Marc says; “Just make sure to do regular self-examinations and don’t feel too embarrassed to see a doctor if you find any problems. The quicker it’s discovered the better your prognosis. And having testicular cancer or the loss of a testicle does not make you any less of a man.” To see how you too can do a testicular self-exam, visit http://www.cansa.org.za/how-to-do-a-testicular-self-examination/
The cancer risk can be reduced by making smart choices, avoiding carcinogens (cancer-causing agents), living a balanced lifestyle (http://www.cansa.org.za/adopt-a-balanced-lifestyle/) and being aware of the cancer warning signs (http://www.cansa.org.za/cancer-warning-signs/).
It is also important to go for regular screening. “Our more than 30 CANSA Care Centres and 9 CANSA Mobile Health Clinics offer an array of screening service to help you identify your cancer risk. We offer a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test, which is a fingerprick blood test to help detect prostate abnormalities; education on self-testicular exams; colorectal cancer screening – testing for occult (concealed) blood in stool; FotoFinder screening – mole mapping dermoscope device for detecting skin cancer, among others,” concludes Joubert.
Testi-monials is a campaign created by FCB Cape Town for CANSA which is setting out to remove the awkwardness around talking about testicular cancer, and drive awareness about how important it is that men not only talk balls but take care of them too. The campaign features testicles giving their own testi-monials about cancer and how they have been personally affected. They will give advice on how to self-examine and help detect signs and symptoms. Visit http://www.testi-monials.co.za/ for more info.
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of these cancers and how to reduce your cancer risk. More information on the various cancers affecting men can be found here: http://www.cansa.org.za/mens-health/ and here: http://www.cansa.org.za/what-cansa-believes/.
Visit the CANSA website for more information on CANSA’s Men’s Health campaign – http://www.cansa.org.za/mens-health/ or join on social media for more information. CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa on Facebook, @CANSA on Twitter and @CancerAssociationOfSouthAfrica on Instagram.
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For more info visit www.cansa.org.za or contact CANSA toll-free 0800 22 66 22 or email to info@cansa.org.za. Please follow CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa on Facebook, @CANSA on Twitter and @CancerAssociationOfSouthAfrica on Instagram
(For more information, please contact Esti Lindner, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at CANSA at email elindner@cansa.org.za. Call 011 616 7662 or cell: 072 529 6082. You can visit www.cansa.org.za or call CANSA toll-free 0800 22 66 22 or email: info@cansa.org.za.)
ABOUT CANSA
CANSA offers a unique integrated service to the public and to all people affected by cancer. As a leading role-player in cancer research (more than R12 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 health programmes comprises health and education campaigns, CANSA Care Centres that offer a wide range of care and support services to those affected by cancer, offer stoma and other clinical support and organisational management, medical equipment hire as well as a toll-free line to offer information and support. We also supply patient care and support in the form of 11 CANSA Care Homes in the main metropolitan areas for out-of-town cancer patients plus one hospitium based in Polokwane, as well as CANSA-TLC lodging for parents and guardians of children undergoing cancer treatment.
Read more about how CANSA fights cancer in your community: Visit www.cansa.org.za or contact CANSA toll-free 0800 22 66 22 or email info@cansa.org.za. Follow CANSA on Twitter and join CANSA on Facebook and on Pinterest
