The responsibility rests with patients to contact CANSA for assistance. Read more...
CANSA Research
CANSA is Seeking Court Order for Trademark Infringements by Sunscreen Manufacturer
The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) announces that the products of Kool-a-Chem and any of its official associated brands do not carry the CANSA Smart Choice Seal of Recognition endorsement of CANSA, following a trademark infringement. #LowerCancerRisk #CANSASmartChoice Elize Joubert, CANSA CEO, says, “It came to our attention that Kool-a-Chem infringed CANSA’s trademark. Following […]
Read morePublished: 5 November 2025
Updated: 5 November 2025
Categories: CANSA Seal of Recognition - Protection Category, CANSA's Seal of Recognition, Notice Board
Leading with Excellence: Prof Jane Harries Wins CANSA Senior Leadership Award 2025
It is with great admiration that we recognise the exceptional leadership of Prof Jane Harries, Head of Research at CANSA, for the period April 2024 to March 2025. Her dedication and vision have significantly advanced CANSA’s research mandate and strengthened its reputation as a leading cancer control organisation in South Africa. Under Jane’s leadership, CANSA’s […]
Read morePublished: 3 November 2025
Updated: 3 November 2025
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board, Our Research Team
AG Oettlé Memorial Award 2025 to Dr Maureen Joffe
Dr Maureen Joffe has been selected to receive the coveted AG Oettlé Memorial medal from CANSA for her outstanding contributions to cancer research. CANSA honours this distinguished scientist, in recognition of her remarkable contribution to cancer research, health systems strengthening, and the advancement of cancer control in South Africa and across the African continent. Dr […]
Read morePublished: 31 October 2025
Updated: 31 October 2025
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board
AG Oettlé Memorial Award 2025 to Prof Sharon Prince
Professor Sharon Prince has been selected to receive the coveted AG Oettlé Memorial medal from CANSA in recognition of her outstanding contributions to cancer research. CANSA honours Professor Sharon Prince, Professor of Cell Biology and Deputy Dean of Research in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town, in recognition of her […]
Read morePublished: 31 October 2025
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board
Podcast – Groundbreaking Genetic Discovery in Breast Cancer
In our latest On the CANSA Couch podcast, hosts Megan and Kudzai sit down with Mahtaab Hayat. She is the lead author of a remarkable new study, published in Nature, which uncovered two new genetic variants linked to breast cancer in Black South African women.
Read morePublished: 18 October 2025
Updated: 21 October 2025
Categories: CANSA Highlights, CANSA Research, On the CANSA Couch Podcasts, Types of cancer, Women's Health
Research Study – Investigating the Psychosocial Needs of Breast Cancer Survivors in a Low-resource Setting
The College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal invites eligible breast cancer survivors living in KwaZulu-Natal, aged 27 to 80 years, to participate in a research study entitled Investigating the Psychosocial Needs of Breast Cancer Survivors in a Low-Resource Setting: An Exploratory Study. Participants will help improve mental healthcare for breast cancer survivorship in South Africa. The closing date for the recruitment of participants is 30 November 2025.
Read morePublished: 22 September 2025
Updated: 22 September 2025
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board, Take Part in Cancer-related Research
The Impact of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners on Health and Cancer Risk
Information Guide: The Impact of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners on Health and Cancer Risk Download the Information Guide (PDF) here. Non–nutritive Sweeteners (NNS) are substances used to provide a sweet taste in foods and beverages that deliver little to no calories. They are much sweeter than sugar, so only tiny amounts are required, which helps reduce overall […]
Read morePublished: 28 August 2025
Updated: 1 September 2025
Categories: Balanced Lifestyle, CANSA Research, CANSA Seal of Recognition - Edible Consumer Goods Category, Notice Board, Reduce Cancer Risk, Research Findings
Publications of our Type A Research Grant Holders
Type A Grant Holders Prof Jonathan Blackburn Title of the project: Microbial modulation of the tumour microenvironment in pancreatic cancer: early diagnostic markers and candidate therapeutic targets Publication: Identification and validation of a novel autoantibody biomarker panel for differential diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (2025) Prof Christopher Mathew & A/Prof Michael Urban Title of the project: […]
Read morePublished: 21 January 2025
Updated: 13 October 2025
Categories: CANSA Research, Research Findings
Message of Condolence for Professor Lynnette Denny
The CANSA Board, employees and volunteers were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Emerita Professor Lynnette Denny on 9 June. As a cervical cancer researcher, Prof Lynne Denny was highly valued by CANSA. She was a Chief Specialist and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape […]
Read morePublished: 12 June 2024
Updated: 12 June 2024
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board
Microbial Modulation of the Tumour Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer: Early Diagnostic Markers and Candidate Therapeutic Targets
Professor Jonathan Blackburn Institute of Infectious Disease & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town Email Title of the project Microbial modulation of the tumour microenvironment in pancreatic cancer: early diagnostic markers and candidate therapeutic targets Project Description The project employs a multi-omic approach to biomarker identification, validation and elucidation of molecular […]
Read morePublished: 25 March 2024
Updated: 13 October 2025
Categories: CANSA Research, Research Projects
Type B and C Grant Holders
Our Type B and Type C research projects often fund and support research conducted by postgraduate students, under the supervision of the host institution. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dr Rutendo Kudenga Dentist/Lecturer, Department of Odontology, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria Title of the project: Prospective study of the predictors of the initiation of e-cigarette […]
Read morePublished: 15 March 2024
Updated: 11 August 2025
Categories: CANSA Research, Research Projects
Dr Eloise van der Merwe – Knockdown of LRP/LR Impedes Multiple Cancer Hallmarks in Lung Cancer Cells
Dr Eloise van der Merwe of the School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand delivered a poster at the ASCB/EMBO Cell Bio 2023 conference in Boston, USA from 2-6 December 2023 as part of the late Prof Stefan Weiss’s CANSA-funded project. Read more… Download the poster Abstract: Knockdown of LRP/LR Impedes Multiple […]
Read morePublished: 6 February 2024
Updated: 7 February 2024
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board, Research Findings, Research Projects
Message of Condolence for Prof Harry Seftel
Prof Harry Seftel passed away at the age of 94 on 3 December 2023, only a few days before his next birthday. He will be sorely missed by CANSA where he was regularly featured as a speaker at CANSA research and health seminars as well as a panelist at several town hall meetings. He was […]
Read morePublished: 4 December 2023
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board
Prof Paul Ruff to Chair WITS Ethics Committee
Emeritus Professor Paul Ruff, a member of the CANSA Research Committee was appointed Chairperson of the Wits Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC): Medical, effective 1 August 2023. The Wits HREC: Medical oversees medical research studies and projects, including higher degrees, and local and international collaborative research, as well as commercial clinical trials. Wits’ Ethics Committees are registered with the […]
Read morePublished: 4 September 2023
Updated: 5 September 2023
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board, Our Research Team
Tribute to Former CANSA Head of Research, Dr Carl Albrecht
CANSA is sad to learn of the loss of Dr. Carl Albrecht who sadly passed away on 23 March 2023. Our condolences to his wife, three children, three grandchildren, and friends in Kleinmond, where he had retired. He will also be missed by colleagues at CANSA who had the wonderful privilege to have worked closely […]
Read morePublished: 27 March 2023
Updated: 27 March 2023
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board
Prof Paul Ruff appointed as Chair of ASCO’s Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Council
CANSA congratulates CANSA Research Committee (RESCOM) member Prof Paul Ruff for being appointed as Chair of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Council. Prof Ruff is an Emeritus Professor of Medical Oncology at the School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand. The Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Council has 12 members who […]
Read morePublished: 14 March 2023
Updated: 15 March 2023
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board, Our Research Team
Professor Sharon Prince Awarded Gold for Outstanding Scientific Contributions to Health Research
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) held its 9th SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards recently to recognise excellence in health research. Read more here. Congratulations to Prof Sharon Prince, on being awarded the South African Medical Research Council’s Gold Award for her substantial and influential contribution to health, especially in low and middle-income countries. Prof […]
Read morePublished: 13 March 2023
Updated: 14 March 2023
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board
Different Areas of Cancer Research
The term ‘cancer research’ covers a wide range of research activities. But, in general, there are five main areas of research: Basic research Clinical research Translational research Socio-behavioural research Population-oriented research Basic Research: Basic research (cancer biology) is the study of how cells work. Cancer researchers who conduct basic research don’t focus on finding a […]
Read morePublished: 14 November 2022
Updated: 13 March 2024
Categories: CANSA Research
Oettlé Memorial Award 2022 to Dr Elvira Singh
Dr. Elvira Singh has been selected to receive the coveted AG Oettlé Memorial medal from CANSA for her outstanding contributions to cancer research. Elvira meets the spirit and action required of the AG Oettlé Award. Dr. Singh led the South African National Cancer Registry (NCR) since 2014 and played a critical role in revitalising the […]
Read morePublished: 1 November 2022
Updated: 24 July 2023
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board
Research Reports
Polygenic scores for cancer published by the PHG Foundation – the report provides an overview of what is known about polygenic scores – when multiple genetic variants associated with a disease are combined – and what they could mean for cancer prediction, prevention, and management. This accessible short report for health policymakers and other stakeholders […]
Read morePublished: 19 October 2022
Updated: 19 October 2022
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board, Research Findings
CANSA Head of Research serves as a Member on the AWACAN-ED Steering Group
AWACAN-ED (African aWAreness of CANcer & Early Diagnosis) is an NIHR-funded Global Health Research Group focussing on Advancing Early Diagnosis of Cancer in Southern Africa. The Health Systems Trust announced the release of the South African Health Review (SAHR) 2023, which focuses on “Strengthening Cancer Services in South Africa”. Jane Harries CANSA Head of Research, is a co-author […]
Read morePublished: 8 August 2022
Updated: 10 April 2025
Categories: CANSA Research, Notice Board, Research Findings, Research Projects
Do you have a question?
Ask CANSABook a counselling session
