WORLDWIDE, cancer kills more people than malaria, TB and HIV combined, and it was the leading cause of death in 2010 - yet it is not given enough attention by the government
Cancer organisations are calling for government intervention into the cancer epidemic and to give it the attention it deserves.
Linda Greeff, founding member of People Living with Cancer, said: "Cancer needs to be put high on the political agenda in this country, it's not just about medical support but we also need to advocate for patient care."
The cancer conference held in Cape Town early this year came up with several resolutions and called for national action:
- To make cancer a priority,
- For the development of a national cancer-control plan,
- For cancer registries and data,
- For investment and funding for education, training and infrastructure, and
- For the reduction of stigma and discrimination against cancer patients and survivors.
Another issue of concern is the care of cancer patients who do not have medical aid.
Greeff said: "Patient care and proper treatment is a right for all South Africans, not just the ones that have medical aid. There should be an end to the inequality of services."
Molebatsi Pooe-Shongwe, founder of BreastSens, an NGO that works mainly with township women with breast cancer, said she was disappointed with the Health Department's approach to cancer.
"The minister's (Dr Aaron Motsoaledi) Budget Speech said very little about cancer, he mentioned Non-Communicable Diseases but only focused on heart conditions ... more resources and attention needs to be given to cancer."
Sandhya Singh, Director of Chronic Diseases, Disabilities and Geriatrics at the Department of Health, said that NCD are high on the department's agenda.
"We acknowledge that cancer will not be as highly prioritised as HIV and Aids, but it is also high on the minister's agenda," Singh said.