Cancer is any malignant growth or tumour caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; if not stopped, it can spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream.

Cancer is a life threatening disease that affects everyone: men and women, young and old, rich and poor.

Cancer is a very complicated disease – there are more than 200 different kinds of cancer. Some kinds are relatively easy to detect and treat while others spread quickly and cannot be cured.

Causes

There are many factors that increase your risk of getting cancer: lifestyle such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption and diet; environmental factors such as sun and pollution exposure; and genetic factors can all play a role. Sometimes there is no known cause.

If you live a healthy lifestyle, your risk of getting cancer can be reduced. The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) encourages everyone to follow these basic lifestyle do’s and don’ts.

Healthy lifestyle do’s and don’ts

Do

    • Eat five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables each day
    • Exercise regularly
    • Drink plenty of fresh, clean water daily
    • Go for regular medical check-ups
    • Conduct regular self-examinations
    • Cover up in the sun or stay in the shade.

Don’t

    • Smoke or use any tobacco products
    • Drink more than one serving of alcohol per day
    • Eat processed food, junk food or food high in animal fat
    • Eat lots of red meat.

Go for screenings

It is important to detect cancer early. This can be done by conducting regular self-examinations and going for regular medical check-ups.

Women, from puberty onwards, should conduct regular breast self-examinations a week after their period to detect any unusual swellings, lumps, discharge or itching to help detect possible breast cancer.

Women over 40 should request a regular mammogram referral from their doctor to help detect breast cancer.

All women who are sexually active should go for regular Pap smears. The Department of Health offers three free Pap smears from age 30 at 10-year intervals at government hospitals. If you are sexually active and can afford to, you should go for a Pap smear every 2 to 3 years. A Pap smear helps to detect abnormal cells that could indicate cervical cancer.

Men, from puberty onwards, should check their testicles on a monthly basis for any unusual swellings, pea-sized lumps, pain or heaviness that could be a sign of testicular cancer. If any of these signs occur, seek medical advice.

Men over 50 should request a PSA blood test annually to help detect prostate cancer.

Ask your doctor or dermatologist to check your skin annually for any changes in warts or moles, which might indicate skin cancer.

Caution: early warning signs of cancer

The following symptoms may be caused by other health problems, but if one or more of these symptoms persist, consult your doctor without delay.

    • Change in a wart or mole
    • A sore that does not heal
    • Unusual bleeding or discharge anywhere in the body
    • Thickening or lump in the breast, neck, armpit or anywhere else
    • Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
    • Ongoing hoarseness or cough
    • Notable change in bowel or bladder action.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about cancer and its symptoms.