05 Dec 2018

Batswana have been encouraged to take caution against cancer, a life threatening disease that is caused by the abnormal growth of cells in the body.

Speaking during ‘She Warrior Wellness’ in Kanye, principal health education officer at Kanye District Health Management Team, Mr Celous Julius said the most common cancers in Botswana are cervical cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer.

Mr Julius noted that cancer risk factors include smoking, immune suppression, and unhealthy eating.

Mr Julius stressed his focus on cervical cancer afflicting women, the type of cancer, he said, is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which can be found in both men and women.”

Men or Women can transmit HPV to each other unknowingly,” he said.

He indicated that signs are not easily identified until cancer is invasive, hence stressing a need for people to test even if they are not experiencing any pain.

She noted that HPV was transmitted through skin to skin contact or through unprotected sex.

He however said, cervical cancer was easy to prevent.

He cited that the health ministry had introduced a primary prevention of the virus, by introducing the HPV vaccine to pupils aged nine years to 15 years.

Mr Julius said the body naturally removes the virus from the body, but sometimes the body is unable to, hence the use of HPV vaccine to assist the body to remove the virus.

He said that the ‘see and treat’ campaign at E&M Dada Clinic in Kanye had been introduced, where health workers check women for pre-cancer of the cervix, a method he described to be effective, safe, with prompt results.

Mr Julius mentioned some risk factors that can cause cervical cancer being multiple co-current partners, prolonged use of birth control methods and indulging in sexual intercourse at an early age.

He however noted that if the immune system is suppressed, the body is vulnerable to other diseases.

He therefore encouraged women using family planning methods to consult with health practitioners and avoid taking them for a prolonged period of time without taking a break.

He encouraged women to visit Dada clinic to test for cervical cancer, adding that if the pre-cancer is detected, it can be treated and cured in the same checkup.

Member of Vision 2036 Council, Dr Lemogang Kwape noted that non-communicable diseases such as cancer and heart attack were not common in Africa, but of recent, due to change in lifestyle, food and lack of exercise has led to increase in non-communicable diseases.

Dr Kwape said Batswana have opted to rely on junk food, which weakens their bodies, exposing them to non-communicable diseases, and encouraged people to stay away from eating food with high fat, sugar and salt, and opt to food rich in fiber.

Sixteen-year-old Thato Sekwati, also Miss Teen Universe Botswana finalist, shared with members of the community about the dangers of cancer.

She indicated that with early detection, the disease can be treated.

Sharing his experience, Mr Calvin Tlhose, 21, said he was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 when he was 16.

He stated that he had a swollen leg and went to Princess Marina Referral Hospital, where doctors told them that they suspected cancer.

He said then, he did not know anything about cancer, all he knew was that cancer kills.

Mr Tlhose further said that the doctors told him that he had bone cancer, and later amputated the affected leg.

He said that after amputations, he took chemotherapy treatment for 12 months and has recovered completely. ENDS