CANCER IN SOUTH AFRICA: Behind each cancer statistic is a person who needs the best care on offer
Too much focus on the question of whether cancer diagnoses are on the rise misses the point. More important is when a diagnosis is made, and the patient’s options and access to them.
When a person is diagnosed with cancer, it can completely alter the course of their life. For over three decades, the author has witnessed this transformation firsthand. While it is important to consider whether cancer diagnoses are increasing, the author believes that understanding when diagnoses occur and the patients' options for treatment is more crucial.
South Africa is aging, and lifestyles are changing, contributing to a higher risk of different cancers. However, the author emphasizes that finding cancers earlier is not inherently negative. They argue that uncovering cancers that would have gone undetected three decades ago is a positive development.
Back in the 1990s, the perception of breast cancer in Africa was that it was often diagnosed late. When the author established a breast clinic at Baragwanath Hospital, they faced resistance from senior colleagues who believed breast cancer was not prevalent among the black population. It took only two months of awareness campaigns for the clinic to see 150 patients per week.
The author's patient "Mama Louisa" served as a testament to the importance of early diagnosis, passing away 30 years later, 30 years after her initial diagnosis and treatment.
The author notes that delays in treatment and where they occur are significant factors to consider when looking at modern statistics. The number of people diagnosed matters, but so does the timing of the diagnosis and the options available to patients. Delays in treatment can lead to larger operations, having to remove the breast, more surgeries in the armpit area, and less precise selection of treatments.
Personalized care is the direction of modern cancer treatment. It involves considering various factors such as receptors, molecular features, genetics, stage, age, general health, and the individual patient. The goal is not merely to deliver more treatment but to deliver the most appropriate treatment for each patient.
South Africa has the expertise to provide high-quality breast cancer care on par with excellent international centers. With a multidisciplinary team and access to necessary treatments, cancer outcomes can compete with those at top centers worldwide. The key is ensuring that patients have access to the right care at the right time.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
