Question NW4565 to the Minister of Health
23 December 2022 - NW4565
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) total number of cancer awareness campaigns have been initiated in black communities, especially in rural areas and (b) total number of cancer centres have been opened across the Republic in the past two financial years? NW5694E
Reply:
(a) Total number of cancer awareness campaigns:
1. Nine (9) provincial cancer awareness programs were conducted for Traditional Health Practitioners on identifying and referring the most common cancers in collaboration with CANSA.
2. One (1) cancer awareness campaign on breast, cervical and prostate cancer was conducted in Upington in Northern Cape in collaboration with Pink Drive.
3. Five (5) lung cancer awareness programs were conducted in collaboration with CANSA in KwaZulu-Natal.
(b) Cancer centres:
1. Three (3) Regional Breast Units were established.
2. There are twelve national oncology centers in the public health sector which provide access to cancer care for all citizens nationally. One of these has been established the last two years. This is the Mpumalanga medical oncology center. There are an additional eight centers across the country that are in various stages of being built. This will bring the total number of national oncology centers to 21 throughout the country.
END.