Workshop on cancer
TO kickstart Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Amathole District Amadoda Forum (ADAF) held a “Breast Cancer Awareness – Even in Men” workshop at their offices in East London on Monday.
ADAF is an informal gathering of male employees within the Department of Sport, Recreation, and Arts & Culture (DSRAC) in the Amathole District and consists of elderly men who give guidance to younger men on how to conduct themselves in the workplace.
ADAF Coordinator Thulani Mankayi said the main aim of the event was to equip men to become caregivers by supporting women in ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer.
“The role of a man as a protector should ensure the safety of women and children at all times and they should not shy away from patriarchal practises,” he said.
Experts from Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) joined in the workshop.
Registered nurse and community mobiliser at Cansa Donne Burrows emphasised a healthy diet and regular exercise. She also added that alcohol had now topped the list as a “number one carcinogen” (cancer causing agent).
“About 90% of all cancer is caused by what we take inside our bodies and the environment,” she said. Burrows also touched on cervical and prostate cancer.
During the dialogues, ADAF representative Thulani Bukani highlighted the challenges faced by male youth having to take care of a mother or a daughter who suffers from cancer.
“Unfortunately ignorance by men has in the past left them clueless when they are faced with someone suffering from breast cancer. As ADAF we have a responsibility to educate our society on issues of health. We believe in being the change we want to see, so we felt it is important to empower ourselves and others on the subject in order to advocate for the cause in our individual social circles and networks.
“It is important that those who are close to opportunities utilise them to help those who are in the dark in our communities to help improve their lives as we aspire to be Indoda Yoqoba (real men),” concluded Mankayi.