There is life after cancer
Ulla Setswalo | Monday June 8, 2015 15:19
Cancer survivors, volunteers, media practitioners and other members of the public thronged the venue for the event, which was held under the theme, ‘Cancer can be treated: Let’s get physical’.
Jack’s Gym coordinator Lisa Ouisthuzen said the emphasis was on physical activity because regular exercises could help survivors to fully recover.
Bontle Modige of CAB said they will continue to raise awareness on cancer and offer support to survivors, as well as advocate for better care and management.
Cancer is a global challenge and many people in Botswana are still not diagnosed early enough. Botswana National Cancer Registry (2003-2011) stated that over 14 668 people have been diagnosed, gone through treatment or are affected by the disease.
According to Botswana Harvard Aids Institution Partnership for HIV research and education specialist, Dr. Mompati Mmalane, 80% of the people diagnosed with cancer discover it at a later stage when the disease is no longer curable.
“A significant number of cancers are preventable as most are caused by what we eat, inhale and drink,” he explained.
Mmalane added that most varieties of the disease can be cured though not easily, adding that there is life after cancer.
“This is mostly due to the fact that they get diagnosis when the cancer has spread and passed to other stages. Prostate and upper body cancers mostly affect men in Botswana, whilst children suffer from blood related cancers,” he added.
Cancer survivor, Clara Raselaeng of Ramotswa inspired the crowd with her testimony as she narrated her horrific experience with the disease. She, however, came victorious in the end.
“I was diagnosed with cervical cancer stage 2 in 1993. Over the years, I have undergone many treatments here and in the United Kingdom, which were a success as my cancer was cured in 1996. I gave birth to a healthy baby girl in 2000,” she said.
Raselaeng added that she was the first person to be diagnosed with cancer in her family and has now taken it upon herself to educate her family and friends on the disease. She noted that she has noticed that few women took pap smears and that health practitioners are often reluctant to test those who have not been diagnosed with the disease.