The following information is to be used as a guide to and at the discretion of the end-user and should not replace a doctor’s opinion.
OVERVIEW
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Unfortunately, most people don’t experience obvious cancer symptoms until it has started spreading. This makes early diagnosis difficult. The earlier you diagnose and begin treating your cancer, the better your chances of surviving it.
Cancer is categorised into stages based on how far it has progressed in your body:
- STAGE 0: The earliest stage of cancer, where there are abnormal cells, also referred to as pre-cancerous cells. Most stage 0 cancers are curable.
- STAGE 1: The cancerous tumour is smaller and only in one area; it hasn’t spread to other parts of your body.
- STAGE 2: The cancerous tumour has grown larger and has grown more deeply into nearby tissues.
- STAGE 3: When the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
- STAGE 4: Also known as metastatic or advanced cancer, this is when the cancer has spread to other organs in your body.
While some cancer symptoms can ambiguous, making it difficult to know whether or not follow-up testing is necessary, there are seven signs that you should never ignore:
- A sore that doesn’t heal or doesn’t stop bleeding
- A lump anywhere on your body
- Unexplained bleeding or discharge from any part of your body
- Bladder or bowel changes that do not improve
- A cough or hoarseness that doesn’t improve
- Indigestion or difficulty swallowing that doesn’t improve
- Any skin changes such as new warts or moles
Knowing your own risk factors for cancer can help you spot the early signs and symptoms. Regular screening for various cancers is also vitally important. And while getting screened for cancer can be stressful, it is vital if you have risk factors for specific types of cancer.
CANCER IN SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN
Women make up 51.3% of all cancer sufferers in South Africa. The leading cancers for South African women according to the 2022 National Cancer Registry (NCR) are:
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Skin cancer
BREAST CANCER
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in South African women, after skin cancer (melanoma).
Regular breast self-exams each month, as well as regular mammograms, are essential for early diagnosis. Breast cancer can be successfully treated if found early enough.
MoreCERVICAL CANCER
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in South African women.
Most cervical cancer is caused by HPV, the Human Papilloma Virus. There is an HPV vaccine, available to all young South African women. Regular pap smears are essential to detect abnormal cells in the cervix before they progress to cancer cells. Cervical cancer can be successfully treated if found early enough.
MoreCOLORECTAL CANCER
Colorectal cancer is one of the top three cancers affecting all South Africans, and the second leading cause of cancer death. It is more likely to occur in people over the age of 50.
Screening is done by way of faecal occult blood test and colonoscopy. If the cancer is found early enough, surgery is often performed to remove the affected part of the body.
MoreUTERINE CANCER
Cancer of the uterus (womb) is the fourth most common cancer affecting South African women. Around 550 South African women die from uterine cancer every year.
It is important to familiarise yourself with the risk factors for uterine cancer, as well as know the symptoms, so that you can consult a healthcare professional as early as possible. If uterine cancer is suspected, a biopsy will be performed to diagnose the tissue in your womb.
MoreSKIN CANCER (MELANOMA)
South Africa has a high incidence of melanoma due to our high levels of UV (ultraviolet) radiation from the sun – and the number of cases is increasing. Melanoma skin cancer causes around 700 deaths a year.
Regular skin checks are the key to beating melanoma. Check your skin carefully every month for irregularities and get a friend or family member to check out-of-sight areas like your back and the top of your head. Any signs of melanoma should immediately be reported to a healthcare professional.
MoreBLADDER CANCER
Since the early signs of bladder cancer are quite obvious, early detection can be easier than in other types of cancer. While more men suffer bladder cancer than women in South Africa, women are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced bladder cancer than men.
MoreKIDNEY CANCER
Kidney cancer is hard to diagnose in the early stages because it’s difficult to feel small tumours during a physical exam. It is often caught on X-ray or ultrasound conducted for another reason. Kidney cancer can be treated if diagnosed early enough.
MoreLEUKEMIA
Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects your white blood cells, with more South African women being diagnosed than men. Since many people either do not experience symptoms, or have their symptoms develop over a long period of time, early diagnosis is rare. While there is no cure for leukemia, it can be treated to prevent it from returning.
MoreLIVER CANCER
The five-year relative survival rate for liver cancer is low at only 19.6%. When it is diagnosed early, the survival rate is a little higher at 34.2%.
MoreLUNG CANCER
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally, including South Africa. Data shows that the incidence of lung cancer is increasing at a much higher rate in South African women than in men. If lung cancer is found at an earlier stage, before it has spread, it is more likely to be treated successfully. However, many people often ignore typical symptoms of lung cancer because they can seem like repercussions from smoking or signs of a lung infection.
MoreNON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the fifth most common cancer in South African women. It is a cancer of the lymphatic system.
MorePANCREATIC CANCER
The pancreas is located deep within the body, making early detection of small tumours extremely difficult. Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is vital when it comes to survival. It is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death in South African women.
MoreTHYROID CANCER
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits low on the front of your neck, below your Adam’s apple, along the front of your windpipe. Thyroid cancer is the most pervasive endocrine cancer worldwide, and occurs three times more often in women than in men. Women aged 15-49 years are most affected by thyroid nodules. If diagnosed and treated early, survival rates are high.
MoreHOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM CANCER?
Knowing your personal risk factors and understanding the early warning signs of cancer can make a big difference in accessing treatment early enough for you to have the best chance of a successful outcome.
However, there is strong evidence that suggests between 30% and 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented by changing or avoiding key risk factors and following existing prevention strategies, like:
- avoiding tobacco use, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco
- maintaining a healthy weight
- eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables
- exercising regularly
- limiting alcohol use
- practicing safe sex
- getting vaccinated against hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV)
- reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation
- avoiding unnecessary exposure to ionising radiation (whether occupational or medical)
- avoiding urban air pollution and indoor smoke
- having regular medical health screenings
- ensuring that any chronic infections or diseases are properly managed
FURTHER READING
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