Date: 15/08/2006
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Title: Hlongwa: Opening of Helen Joseph Breast Clinic
Speech by Gauteng Health MEC Brian Hlongwa at the official opening of the Helen Joseph Breast Clinic, Johannesburg
I am delighted to be able to be with you at this important occasion and to recognise the valuable work you are doing to fight breast cancer and to reduce its debilitating effects on the health of women in our province.
This event is significant because it is happening in a month in which we are paying tribute to the women of the land who, 50 years ago rose up and challenged an unjust system of government that existed then. Among the leaders of that historic women’s march to Pretoria was Helen Joseph, a courageous leader after whom we have named this hospital.
The opening of this specialised breast clinic in this hospital therefore is a tribute and honour that we in the Department of Health are paying to Helen Joseph, isithwalandwe, a distinguished leader, community builder and campaigner for freedom and human rights.
At the outset, I would like to congratulate you for the initiative and insight you have shown in establishing a state of the art health breast cancer clinic in our province that will ensure cost effective service delivery and high quality patient care.
In particular you must be commended for incorporating an outreach service to primary health care facilities and districts in the development of this centre of excellence.
This is important because it will ensure that appropriate assessment of women presenting with breast health concerns is made available throughout the province. Patient education can also be best achieved through an approach that incorporates a vibrant community outreach programme.
Breast cancer affects all women, irrespective of their race, religion or age. Breast cancer is the number one cancer amongst women worldwide and second most common cancer amongst South African women. It is a serious disease that can lead to loss of breast organ or even death.
A total of 60 000 new cancer cases including cancer of the breast, cervix, lung, prostate and others are reported in South Africa annually and 40 percent of these reports are from Gauteng according to the National Cancer Registry (NCR). It is estimated that one in 27 women is likely to develop cancer of the breast in their lifetime and the lifetime risk of developing the cancer of the cervix is one in 31.
However, if detected early it can be successfully treated. The easiest way to detect this disease is through regular breast examination which all females from the menstruating age and above should do.
Young women need to be made especially aware of the disease in preparation for puberty and they need to be advised and guided with care and consideration by the elders in the early detection of the disease. In this regard those of you in the healthcare profession have a particularly important role to play.
Your guidance is indispensable and I would urge you to remain as active as possible in spreading information about the disease and how it can be treated within your communities.
The bottom line is quite clear breast cancer need not be a death sentence. If detected in the early stages it can be overcome and women doing so can still look forward to a healthy, enjoyable and long life with those who are near and dear to them.
In closing, I would like once again to commend you on your efforts to fight breast cancer within your community. With this initiative we will be able to reduce waiting times for breast case surgery, train our specialists using the latest technology and deliver breast cancer services to patients in a co-coordinated and cost-effective manner.
I would also like to congratulate you for establishing a centre of excellence that will be second to none anywhere in our province. I thank you for paying such a fitting tribute to Helen Joseph and the women whose engagement in the struggle has brought us the democracy we are enjoying today.
I thank you!
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
15 August 2006
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Title: Hlongwa: Opening of Helen Joseph Breast Clinic
Speech by Gauteng Health MEC Brian Hlongwa at the official opening of the Helen Joseph Breast Clinic, Johannesburg
I am delighted to be able to be with you at this important occasion and to recognise the valuable work you are doing to fight breast cancer and to reduce its debilitating effects on the health of women in our province.
This event is significant because it is happening in a month in which we are paying tribute to the women of the land who, 50 years ago rose up and challenged an unjust system of government that existed then. Among the leaders of that historic women’s march to Pretoria was Helen Joseph, a courageous leader after whom we have named this hospital.
The opening of this specialised breast clinic in this hospital therefore is a tribute and honour that we in the Department of Health are paying to Helen Joseph, isithwalandwe, a distinguished leader, community builder and campaigner for freedom and human rights.
At the outset, I would like to congratulate you for the initiative and insight you have shown in establishing a state of the art health breast cancer clinic in our province that will ensure cost effective service delivery and high quality patient care.
In particular you must be commended for incorporating an outreach service to primary health care facilities and districts in the development of this centre of excellence.
This is important because it will ensure that appropriate assessment of women presenting with breast health concerns is made available throughout the province. Patient education can also be best achieved through an approach that incorporates a vibrant community outreach programme.
Breast cancer affects all women, irrespective of their race, religion or age. Breast cancer is the number one cancer amongst women worldwide and second most common cancer amongst South African women. It is a serious disease that can lead to loss of breast organ or even death.
A total of 60 000 new cancer cases including cancer of the breast, cervix, lung, prostate and others are reported in South Africa annually and 40 percent of these reports are from Gauteng according to the National Cancer Registry (NCR). It is estimated that one in 27 women is likely to develop cancer of the breast in their lifetime and the lifetime risk of developing the cancer of the cervix is one in 31.
However, if detected early it can be successfully treated. The easiest way to detect this disease is through regular breast examination which all females from the menstruating age and above should do.
Young women need to be made especially aware of the disease in preparation for puberty and they need to be advised and guided with care and consideration by the elders in the early detection of the disease. In this regard those of you in the healthcare profession have a particularly important role to play.
Your guidance is indispensable and I would urge you to remain as active as possible in spreading information about the disease and how it can be treated within your communities.
The bottom line is quite clear breast cancer need not be a death sentence. If detected in the early stages it can be overcome and women doing so can still look forward to a healthy, enjoyable and long life with those who are near and dear to them.
In closing, I would like once again to commend you on your efforts to fight breast cancer within your community. With this initiative we will be able to reduce waiting times for breast case surgery, train our specialists using the latest technology and deliver breast cancer services to patients in a co-coordinated and cost-effective manner.
I would also like to congratulate you for establishing a centre of excellence that will be second to none anywhere in our province. I thank you for paying such a fitting tribute to Helen Joseph and the women whose engagement in the struggle has brought us the democracy we are enjoying today.
I thank you!
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
15 August 2006
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