Staff Reporter

THE Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN), with the support of Standard Bank, hosted a Cancer Support and Patient Workshop on Saturday to raise awareness of the state of cancer in Namibia.

According to the CANs Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rolf Hansen, on average 3 700 Namibians get diagnosed with a form of cancer every year. Of these, he said, 54% are women. He stressed the importance of formulating a national cancer control plan that considers and addresses the obstacles that hinder the fight against cancer.

One of the workshops presenters, Afra Schimming-Chase, a womens empowerment advocate, also emphasised the importance of having an action plan with clear objectives and said that it is important to begin with the end in mind.What is the vision that we have over the next three years? Where is it that we would like to be? Schimming-Chase said.

The attendees of the workshop also shared their experiences, particularly about their personal battles with cancer. By sharing these stories, they highlighted the various obstacles that hinder the fight against cancer on a national level. Chief among these obstacles is the inaccessibility of treatment facilities in the country not only because of the costly nature of treatments but also because these facilities are not widely available throughout the country.

One of the attendees explained that most cancer patients in the country have to travel to Windhoek to receive treatment. She asked for these treatment facilities to be provided in other places as well.We do not have to be as grand with the technology we have here in Windhoek, but we need the basic services in other places. Just to make it easier for us, she said.

Another attendee pointed out that there is a lack of awareness regarding cancer in the country. She advised the association to produce and distribute educational cancer videos across the country. These videos, she suggested, should be made in every Namibian language to accommodate and educate the diverse Namibian nation.

File photo for illustrative purposes only.

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CAN hosts cancer support and patient workshop - Informante