Raising Cancer Awareness: 2017 MANCOSA Cancer High Tea

On Sunday, 15th October 2017, The Muslim Women’s Network in Port Elizabeth, hosted a successful cancer awareness function themed and titled, “Together We Can”. The non-profit organisation, which has been in existence for sixteen years, includes an element of education in all their programme discussions. They hosted a panel consisting of prominent doctors specialising in cancer treatment and patient care.

The panel included; Dr Diana Oelofse, a pathologist working at NHLS and currently doing her PHD on the influence of environmental factors on cancer; Dr Adelaide De Freitas, an Oncologist at Livingstone hospital; Ms Reinet Tyderman.Edwards, a nutritionist for Oncology patients and a breast cancer survivor and Ms Candace Kivido who works well with individuals requiring special needs. The panel director was Ms Gishma Johnson, a journalist who is the Communications Manager for General Motors South Africa.

The panel discussed the genetic risk factors relating to breast cancer antigens, the environmental factors and modified foods and pesticides. Dr de Freitas, highlighted potential signs such as unexplained lumps, different patterns in sleeping, breast discoloration, breast pain, skin dimpling, change in nipple appearance, enlarged lymph nodes and sudden change in breast size.

The event, as always, was very informative and well received by the guests and sponsors.

MANCOSA was fortunate to have been a sponsor to the event and would like to wish the organisation success in their growth and future endeavours as they aim to promote awareness on prominent health issues around South Africa.