The City of Johannesburg, in partnership with Pink Drive, commemorated World Cancer Day at the Baragwanath Taxi Rank in Soweto today, 3 February 2022.
The commemoration included mobile testing and screening facilities set up around the venue, including a walk-about and an interactive discussion with the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospitals Breast Cancer Unit.
The City’s Executive Mayor, Cllr Mpho Phalatse, was also in attendance to highlight the City’s partnership with Pink Drive and to emphasise the importance of creating awareness and educating the community about cancer.
Onsite were mobile mammography units where members of the community were invited to screen for breast and cervical cancer by receiving a free mammogram and pap smear.
There were also various other organisations and brands with gazebos at the Bara Taxi Rank assisting with other screenings for blood pressure and blood glucose. This was to have a holistic health check for any interested commuters passing through.
The main objective of this important event was to encourage people, particularly women, to do early screening especially after screening methods halted due to Covid-19 restrictions. However, not forgetting males as they were represented at the event too. Men were encouraged to screen for prostate and testicular cancer. Early detection is key for the best results.
Additionally the event promoted Campaigning for Cancer’s new app: My Cancer Guide.
My Cancer Guide is a mobile web-based app that guides women in completing step-by-step their monthly breast self-examination and cervical self-observation. It takes the format of an animated avatar, copy and voice over, allowing the user to accurately execute their examination. Once completed, the app asks the users a series of questions about what they noticed while doing their examination.
There was an evident buzz with curious individuals who were coming to see and screen for the first time, along with cancer patients and survivors who were also present. Among the survivors was Mama Ray representing Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
“I am a four-time cancer survivor of a list of different kinds of cancers. I am now in my 24th year of being cancer free. I am a living testament that cancer can be survived especially upon early detection,” she said.
The actual World Cancer Day takes place on 4 February 2022.
Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph
03/02/2022