Netcare Pinehaven Hospital oncology department, in partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Astellas Pharma and Lancet Laboratories, is hosting a free prostate screening drive on Friday, 23 September. This is to help raise awareness about the risk of prostate cancer which, if detected early, is highly treatable.
According to Dr Charles Mathye, a urologist practising at Netcare Pinehaven Hospital, prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men in the country. “The incidence rate has doubled in the last decade here in South Africa, where it is the second most common cause of cancer related deaths overall.
“The hospital will be offering a limited number of free prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests for men in the risk group of developing prostate cancer. This includes all men aged 45 and over, and black men from the age of 40 with a family history of prostate and/or breast cancer in a parent, full sibling or child, on a first come first served basis,” he says.
Clinical oncologist, Dr Nokwanda Zuma, who practises at the hospital, adds that in the early stages of prostate cancer, there are usually no symptoms. It is for this reason that having a PSA test can assist in detecting cancer and lead to early treatment and better outcomes.
“The PSA test is a blood test that is conducted to detect prostate abnormalities. While a high PSA score can indicate prostate cancer, it could also be due to an enlarged prostate or an infection, which should be attended to in consultation with your doctor in any case,” she notes.
Hospital general manager, Constance Majeke, concluded by saying that the hospital was pleased to assist in hosting the drive. “We thank our resident doctors and valued partners for joining forces with us in making this important initiative available to the community that we serve. We hope that it will assist in raising awareness among men in the affected groups,” she concluded.
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Notes to editor
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