International Cancer Survivors Day, 5 June 2011
As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to share real life member stories and their outcomes with you. This article explores the subject of surviving cancer this International Cancer Survivors Day.
For many people, 5 June is just another ordinary day. However, this is not the case for 57-year-old Patrick Dube*, an office manager working in the Department of Trade and Industry. That is because on 5 June 2011 the world commemorates International Cancer Survivors Day - an event that is very meaningful for Patrick, who overcame cancer last year.
Beating a leading cause of death
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cancer is a leading cause of death that affects people from all walks of life worldwide. This illness can affect any part of the human body and commonly presents with a tumour or tumours in the affected area. However, it can be difficult for a sufferer to notice that anything is wrong before it is too late.
In developing countries, cancer can sometimes go undiagnosed which makes it almost impossible to know the exact number of deaths that it causes. The most recent figures from the WHO on cancer-related deaths per year are well into the millions.
Despite the high number of deaths associated with cancer, the good news is that it can be beaten if caught early enough. Patrick is living proof of this and says that while he feared for his life, and at times even doubted that he would make it, he always had hope that the day would finally come when he could say: "I beat cancer".
"Sometimes, hope is all you have," he says. "There are days when you feel frustrated at how dependent you have become on others and times when you are so ill and exhausted that it seems there is no end in sight. But there is always hope that you will survive and that is what International Cancer Survivors Day is all about - celebrating the hope and support that sees you through this terrible illness," he says.
The GEMS Oncology Disease Management Programme
Patrick says it is important to have a support system that you can rely on when fighting cancer. "The GEMS Oncology Disease Management Programme arranged the right treatment for me to get better, but also gave me personal support. They understood what I was going through and helped to make me realize realise that my family and I weren't alone in the struggle for my life."
As the second largest medical scheme in South Africa, GEMS is proud to be able to contribute positively towards this worldwide scourge that affects millions of lives across the globe by providing support to GEMS members, like Patrick.
The GEMS Oncology Disease Management Programme was created to offer members suffering from cancer with not only the clinical but also emotional support that they need to battle the disease and beat it.
A partnership with the South African Oncology Consortium (SAOC) means that treatment is provided in the most cost-effective way possible. The programme allows all costs associated with the disease such as therapy, the oncologist's consultations, related pathology and general radiology to be covered by the oncology benefit rather than the member's day-to-day benefit. The Oncology benefit also remains active for 12 months after the completion of treatment.
A message of hope
With the high number of people suffering from cancer today, it is likely that most people are close to someone who is battling the disease. Patrick urges all South Africans, whether suffering from cancer or helping someone else through the illness, to think of those who have beaten cancer this International Cancer Survivors Day.
This is Patrick's special message of hope: "I know that there are times when it seems like there is no way out. But I myself have had days like that and I am alive and well, and here to tell all those who are fighting cancer to keep on fighting. You may have lost your strength, your independence, or even your dignity. But you should never lose hope. I have been there and I know what it is like to come out on the other side. There is life after cancer. There is a light at the end of the tunnel."
Prevention and early treatment
While cancer can be beaten it is better to try and prevent it. Below are some of the major risk factors for cancer, according to the WHO:
Many of these risk factors can be avoided by stopping smoking and drinking excessively, eating healthily, doing enough exercise and using condoms as protection against sexually transmitted diseases such as HPV as well as getting an HPV vaccination.
While it is advisable to avoid cancer risk factors as much as possible, it is also important to go for regular check-ups and screenings. This is so that any cancer that may exist in the body can be detected early on and treated, as you are more likely to survive cancer if treatment begins early. Speak to your doctor about doing screening tests for cancer - it may just save your life.
If you would like to know how GEMS can assist you to obtain more information about any of your healthcare needs, you can phone the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or send an SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and well-being.
*The member's name has been changed in order to protect his identity.
Sources
1. The World Health Organisation, www.who.int
2. Health24, www.health24.com
3. WebMD, www.webmd.com
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