Your health is your wealth: Campus Health Clinic encourages cancer screening

The Campus Health Clinic recently invited all male and female employees to a cancer screening initiative commemorating Women's Month. The screening focused on mammograms, breast screening, pap smear, prostate cancer, and other health-related conditions that warrant regular checkups.  

From the left: Vicky Malefo and Dr Phumzile Dlamini

The first line of detection and prevention

Vicky Malefo, Health and Wellness Manager of the HIV and AIDS Division at Unisa and a South African Association of Campus Health Services (SAACHS) member, described the medical screening as a health promotion and intervention initiative. She explained that it is part of Unisa's wellness promotion objectives, which prioritise the health of both students and staff. "While we test for other non-communicable diseases, today the focus is on chronic screening, with special focus on breast, cervical and prostate cancer, as well as non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure," she explained.  

"This intervention focused on diagnosis, and once the diagnosis is positive, we recommend immediate treatment to mitigate the spread and possible loss of life," said Malefo. She added that she recommends further treatment at a higher level of intervention for people whose diagnosis is positive for cancer.

Malefo stated that a healthy workforce is an asset to Unisa. "When somebody is off sick, it negatively impacts productivity, so it is essential to have a healthy workforce," she remarked. Malefo's team worked with the Pink Drive Mobile Clinic, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to cancer interventions.

She stated that this initiative aims to be the first line of detection and prevention for staff and students. "Anybody who knocks at our door is welcome to receive our services," she added.  

A university dedicated to employee wellness

Acting Executive Director of Human Resources, Dr Phumzile Dlamini, stated that Unisa, the largest university, must be a leading paradigm towards employee wellness. She explained: "Unisa is a mega university. As we celebrate 150 years, it is necessary to have awareness about cancer because it is a silent killer." She said that because of the attrition rates, there was a need for the university to create this intervention to sensitise the Unisa community.

Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha

Dlamini said they also want to expand health clinic services to other Unisa regions. She explained: We are engaging with the office of the registrar, especially the dean of students, on how we can expand our health and wellness, not limited to Muckleneuk and Florida campuses, but in other remote regions too."

First time testing

"I am not telling you to do what I have not done. I have tested and found out that I had prostate cancer," said veteran actor Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha, who encouraged Unisans to use the university's screening services.

Jerome Jacobs

Mofokeng wa Makhetha remarked that knowledge is power, "power to yourself," he emphasised. He especially encouraged men to undergo screening to get the necessary help and hopefully detect health concerns early.

Jerome Jacobs, from the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), used the opportunity to get his first screening for prostate cancer. "I am in my forties; therefore, it is important for me to do this," he said. Jacobs encouraged all men to exercise, eat a healthy diet, and check in with the doctor to keep abreast of their health status.

Lerato Sibiya, Tutorial Officer at the Sunnyside Campus, said that her family has members who passed on due to cancer, so screening is essential for her. "Every year, I go for a mammogram. I encourage women to undergo screening annually, especially when you detect abnormalities in your body," she said.

From the left: Nomthandazo Monyae and Lerato Sibiya

Nomthandazo Monyae, from the Department of Health Studies and Secretary to the Chair of the Department, said she took breast cancer screening very seriously. Additionally, she said that as a person who works in the health studies department, they advocate for and encourage people to screen and check their health. She said: I did a mammogram. As a woman over 40, this is a checkup one must undertake at least annually. "

#Unisa150

*By Godfrey Madibane, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement