It’s Movember November time!

During the last 7-year reporting cycle, 2 125 prostate cancer diagnosis were recorded, and 10 477 Namibian men were diagnosed with a form of cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer).
On average 1 500 Namibian males are diagnosed with cancer annually, vs 1 615 women per annum. The age group 30 – 69 years remain the most affected.

Kaposi’s Sarcoma remains on this increase in Namibia a well and comes in second to prostate cancer averaging 185 cases per annum.
This form of cancer is commonly associated with a weakened immune system, such as patients living with an un-managed HIV+ status.
“It therefore remains crucial that, similarly as we have made a big noise for breast cancer just last week with Pink Day, Namibians should also support men’s health with its “Movember no Shave” and “National Blue Day” events that will take place on Friday, 26 November 2020,” stressed Rolf Hansen, CEO of CAN.
Funds raised during the November campaigns are all earmarked for the men’s health clinic that CAN hosts every first Tuesday of the month in Windhoek, as well as the outreach programme that travels across all regions of Namibia at least once a year to provide education and complimentary screening services for primarily prostate-, breast-, and cervical cancers (the three most diagnosed cancers in Namibia).
Let’s talk about Prostate Cancer:
Prostate cancer affects the prostate gland, the gland that produces some of the fluid in semen and plays a role in urine control in men. The prostate gland is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Regular testing is crucial as the cancer needs to be diagnosed before metastasis.
Here are some key points about the prostate cancer:
1) The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system.
2) Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.
3) It is treatable if diagnosed early, before it spreads.
4) If symptoms appear, they include problems with urination.
5) Regular screening Is the best way to detect it in good time.
There are usually no symptoms during the early stages of prostate cancer. However, if symptoms do appear, they usually involve one or more of the following:
1) Frequent urges to urinate, including at night
2) Difficulty commencing and maintaining urination
3) Blood in the urine or semen
4) Painful urination and, less commonly, ejaculation
5) Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection may be difficult
Advanced prostate cancer can involve the following symptoms:
1) Bone pain, often in the spine, femur, pelvis, or ribs2
2) Bone fractures
3) If the cancer spreads to the spine and compresses the spinal cord, there may be leg weakness, urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence
Events in support of men’s health aware-ness this November:
Hollard Insurance and Kosmos 94.1FM take hands with the Cancer Association of Namibia again, to host the “MyLife Movember Golf Day” on Friday, 27 November 2020 at the Windhoek Golf Cub. Entry fees are N$3 000 for a team of four players and includes a light lunch, a welcome hamper and appreciation gift to each player supporting the day. The CAN Projects Department can be contacted for more details and entry forms: projects@ can.org.na
The Dome Centre in Swakopmund hosts a family fun day and launches an “Erongo Movember” with the CAN Erongo Centre on Saturday, 7 November 2020. Sunet Smit is the coordinator at The Dome, 064 400 301.
On the weekend of 21 and 22 November 2020, the Goani-kontes Oasis Resort outside Swakopmund hosts a market morning to the bene-fit of the CAN Erongo Centre, and the annual “Rough n Tough 4×4 Challenge” concludes. Rene Baard is coordinating this fun morning and can be reached at 064-405 979.
The CAN Hardap Centre and Rehoboth Voluntary Committee hosts a family day and “sound-off competition” at the Dr Lemmer High School sport ground on Saturday, 5 December 2020. Con-tact Juanita Rittmann for more information at 081 477 3330.
On Friday, 27 November 2020 CAN hosts the National Blue Day, with a “shake-a-can street collection” at road intersections to raise funds.
Blue Ribbons are for sale at N$5.
Blue Cupcakes are for sale at N$10 each.