Media Releases & News

CANSA launches its iSurvivor Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) email support programme as part of breast cancer awareness month in October. In addition to existing online support offerings and ground level support programmes for cancer patients, this programme is aimed at assisting and helping mostly MBC patients with their experienced challenges.

September is International Childhood Cancer Awareness month and the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) highlights support available to children and parents affected by cancer, through its CANSA Tough Living with Cancer’s (TLC) Broviac / Port and Prosthetics programme and CANSA Tele Counselling service.  #CANSATLC #ChildhoodCancer #CANSAcares

CANSA is partnering with the South African Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (SANCDA) to support the Global Week for Action on NCDs (7 to 11 September 2020). Hosted annually by the global NCD Alliance, the theme for 2020 is ‘Accountability’. #ActOnNCDs #BuildBackBetter

CANSA and South African Skin Cancer Foundation (SASCF) are partnering to offer free skin cancer screenings on 1 September 2020.

The South Africa Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (SA NCDs Alliance) is raising concern over the systemic neglect of non-communicable conditions (NCDs) like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, asthma and mental health problems due to neglected NCDs prevention and treatment.

CANSA reminds South Africans to be SunSmart, by protecting their skin at all times and especially during the holidays. Ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB) reach the earth’s surface and are damaging to skin. UVB is responsible for producing sunburn and can cause sunburn within fifteen minutes, causing permanent damage while UVA rays can contribute to ageing the skin and DNA damage. Damage from both UVA and UVB rays can lead to skin cancer. #SunSmart

Despite the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the need to minimise social gatherings to curb the spread of the virus, beauty and personal care company Avon Justine, will once again partner with non-governmental organisations to host the first ever virtual national walkathon on 31 October 2020 to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and education.

Pink Trees for Pauline (PTFP) in association with CANSA have partnered again and invite all clubs, workplaces, schools, institutions and individuals to embrace #doekwithadifference (wearing a head wrap or scarf) OR wrapping trees in the community in pink fabric.

In August, CANSA encourages women to take care of themselves by knowing their bodies, the signs of cancer and taking up their right to cancer screening to promote early detection. #WomensHealth #CANSAscreening #BreastCancer #CervicalCancer #WomensMonth

Cuppa For CANSA is an opportunity to connect with those you care about and drinking your favourite beverage while raising funds for a worthy cause at the same time. We’re excited to introduce ‘Celebration of Life’ and invite you to share ‘Cuppa’ story with us by hosting an intimate Cuppa with your family groups, friends or colleagues at work.

CANSA gives back to cancer patients, those affected by cancer and caregivers by launching its CANSA Tele Counselling service. This is confidential, professional, cancer-related telephonic counselling to cancer patients, caregivers and their families and parents or guardians of children living with cancer. Counselling is available in seven languages (English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, Sesotho and Setswana) and is free of charge. #CANSATeleCounselling #ConnectWithHope #MandelaDay

Rugani Vegetable juices have been awarded the CANSA Seal of Recognition signifying these juices as a CANSA Smart Choice. Owing to the innovative extraction processes and packaging, no additives (sugar, preservatives or colourants) are used in the production of Rugani’s juices and provide nutrients that may aid in reducing the risk of cancer.

CANSA has continued to provide vital services to cancer patients during lockdown and invites those who have benefitted from its support services to ‘pay it forward’ this International Survivors’ month (June), by sharing how CANSA has helped them and making a donation to support the organisation.

CANSA has partnered with Eau Thermale Avène to celebrate cancer Survivors and the caregivers and staff taking care of them, this International Cancer Survivors’ Month, by delivering 780 thermal water and skin repair products to patients, caregivers and staff at CANSA’s 11 Care Homes. 

CANSA welcomes the re-opening of four more of its CANSA Care Homes in Rustenburg, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and George. Most of the CANSA Care Homes have remained open despite the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and where homes were temporarily closed due to restrictions, plans were made to admit critical cancer patients full time at specific hospitals and treatment centres.

The COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent national lockdown and ban on the sale of tobacco products may have forced many smokers to stop smoking. Having to quit in this way may be challenging on so many levels. It could cause intense withdrawal and cravings, which could lead to widespread anxiety. As part of World No Tobacco Day (31 May), CANSA offers support to these smokers and also to others who have embraced the opportunity to quit smoking and are looking for coping tips.

People living with cancer are at a very high risk should they become infected with COVID-19 and so CANSA aims to educate and share early detection messages to avoid more people being diagnosed with cancer. CANSA highlights the stories of two survivors living with skin cancer to help educate and promote early detection of cancer.

International Tekkie Tax Day will be celebrated on Friday, 31 July 2020. CANSA invites the public to ‘make the circle bigger’ by encouraging all their contacts to join them in paying their Tekkie Tax and helping to fund CANSA’s educational programmes around lowering risk for cancer.

In the interests of cancer patients and Survivors, amid the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, CANSA is releasing information to help keep patients and survivors safe, and providing online support through the CANSA website, social media platforms and staff on call.

The safety and health of our cancer patients, volunteers and staff is paramount. As our most valued partner, we assure you that CANSA is taking all the necessary precautions to minimise the impact of COVID-19. Cancer patients are among those at high risk of serious illness from an infection because their immune systems are often vulnerable.