10 Jun 2019

Health officials say cancer, which is one of the deadliest diseases in world, claimed three lives in Tonota last year.  

Speaking during the Cancer Awareness Day in the village recently , Tonota Clinic Nurse In-Charge Ms Gabaseme Mako said the victims were young people aged 40 years and below. 

She said there was a little they could do to assist the victims medically since the disease had already reached a difficult stage when they sought help at the facility.

Ms Mako therefore appealed to parents to encourage their children to go for regular medical tests in order to receive treatment at an early stage.

Giving a keynote address, the Greater Francistown Visual Inspection of cervix Asetic acid Coordinator, Ms Rebecca Ketlametswe explained that the most prevalent cancer amongst men is the throat cancer, liver cancer and prostate cancer. 

She said that of 500 men who succumbed to cancer worldwide last year, 17 per cent died from throat cancer, ten per cent from liver cancer while 9.2 per cent died from prostate cancer. 

She further said 10 per cent succumbed to mouth cancer and another 42 per cent were a result of various forms of cancer.

Ms Ketlametswe explained further that the most common cancer in women is breast and cervical cancer but said all the two diseases are curable if detected earlier.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Bokamoso Radipitse of Tonota cautioned that people could lose lives due to curable diseases such as cancer.

Kgosi Radipitse expressed concern that the residents do not give much attention to health meetings when called.

He therefore appealed to residents to test for cancer and avoid deaths that could be prevented. 

Giving a vote of thanks, Councillor Chris Machokoto of Tonota Central said cancer could be prevented through regular exercising, change of lifestyle and testing for the disease. 

He also encouraged partners to support each other during the difficult times of diseases. ENDS