Statistics from around the world are showing that Covid 19 tends to affects men more severely than women. In New York 62% of all Covid deaths were in men. This trend has been observed throughout the world. In this video our CEO , Andrew Oberholzer talks about how some prostate cancer treatments may further increase the risk for men.
It’s great to be able to announce the appointment of our new Free State medical chairman. Dr Jos Myburgh is a consultant urologist and senior lecturer at The University of the free State.
We still need a patient affairs board chairman, so if you’re a prostate cancer survivor in the Free State who would like to get involved, please contact us. These volunteers give freely of their time and they are critical to expanding our activities nationally.
On Friday 13th March the 10th Hollard Daredevil Run took place at the Zoo lake sports club. Thousands of men ran through the streets of Jozi in the famous purple speedos to raise awareness about prostate & testicular cancer. This is the biggest men’s health event of the year and the pre-event publicity provided Prostate Cancer Foundation with a unique opportunity to educate men about prostate cancer and the importance of age appropriate screening to ensure early detection of curable prostate cancer. PCF’s vice-chairman of patient affairs, Thulani Sibisi and CEO Andrew Oberholzer stripped down to their speedos for numerous TV and radio interviews.
Hollard did a number of activations at running clubs in the Johannesburg area before the even,t at which they provided free PSA screening. Screening was also available to men at registration and after the run. A comprehensive men’s health guide was included in every pack adding further value to this important opportunity to promote men’s health.
There were scattered showers in the morning but the afternoon weather cleared and it turned out to be a beautiful late summer day in Jozi.
Prostate Cancer Foundation and CANSA are joint beneficiaries of this event which was probably the last mass gathering of men in 2020 now that the Corona virus has unfortunately reached South Africa. Thanks to Zenzile Mogoba and Nikki Belford for another great Daredevil run and the opportunity to make a difference to the health of South African men.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new Patient Affairs Board Chairman for KZN. Welcome aboard Mike Mina from Durbs! Mike has a wealth of experience in the advertising industry. With over 40 years in various roles as a creative we look forward to his valuable contributions. Mike joins Dr Mike Nicholls who is our Medical Chairman for KZN.
When screening tests such as a PSA blood test and/or a digital rectal examination reveal that prostate cancer is a possibility, an MRI is helpful, but the diagnosis will be made by performing an ultrasound guided biopsy. Unfortunately the expertise & equipment to perform ultrasound guided prostate biopsies just doesn’t exist in most rural areas which is probably why most men in these areas present with prostate cancer when it has already spread (metastatic prostate cancer). At this point, prostate cancer cannot be cured, which is why we at the Prostate Cancer Foundation believe that something needs to be changed.
Making prostate cancer biopsies available in rural areas is no mean feat. It requires cooperation between teaching hospitals who can provide the expertise, the private sector who can help by donating some of the equipment and a doctor with a passion for improving men’s health in South Africa. All of these came together during November 2019 when Siemens donated an ultrasound machine to us. The Dr with the passion for men’s health is Dr Riana Bornman who is also an avid researcher. The Head of Urology at Sefako Makgatho, Prof Shingai Mutambirwa is helping with the expertise.
Hopefully this will be the start of many more partnerships that can help with the early detection of prostate cancer in rural areas. We need to improve the stage at which we diagnose prostate cancer in South Africa to prevent men from suffering and dying unnecessarily.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation’s 2019 AGM was held on 25th May. Attendees “suited up” for the occasion and of course to promote awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s annual Suit Up September campaign.
From Left to Right: Gillian Whittal – Chairman of the Marketing & Strategic Planning Board, Iain Johnston – Chairman of the Patient Affairs Board, Dr Evelyn Moshokoa – Member of The Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, Dr Lance Coetzee – Chairman, Estie Beukes – Vice Chairman, Prof Shingai Mutambirwa – Chairman of the Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, Dr Georges de Muelenaere – Vice Chairman of The Medical & Scientific Advisory Board and Andrew Oberholzer – Chief Executive Officer
Invitation for Applications for the Position of Patient Affairs Chairman Prostate Cancer Foundation: Free State
This is a non-remunerated volunteer position.
If you’re a prostate cancer survivor or you’ve supported someone who has/d prostate cancer and you have a passion to make a difference in the lives of those affected by the disease, then read on.
If you’re one of those individuals who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved in order to make a difference, then consider applying for the position. You need to be a team player, as you’ll be working together with our branch medical chairman.
Some useful characteristics, abilities and personality traits:You definitely have a passion for men’s health.You’re able to get on with people and work with them even when you don’t always agree with them. You’re a networker, so if you can’t do something yourself, you know just the right person who can, and you’ll persuade then to do it for free.You’re able to see the bigger picture and put your ego aside when necessary in order to get the job done. You have integrity and even if you’re crazy busy you still honour your commitments.
Still Interested?
Please send your CV to our CEO: e-mail: ceo@prostate-ca.co.za Got questions? – call (Andrew) on 083 6160162
Thulani Sibisi, winner of the 1986 Two Oceans Marathon and a prostate cancer survivor is passionate about raising awareness for prostate cancer. Despite the difficulties caused by the treatment he received for his prostate cancer, he completed his last Soweto marathon in 2016. As a founding member of this marathon it is particularly close to his heart and he wanted to do one more race to show men that despite prostate cancer they can and should continue to stay active. The Soweto Marathon has been a great supporter of The Prostate Cancer Foundation and we are at the registration Expo every year. Visit our stand if you’re participating.
If your life has been affected by prostate cancer you may wish to get involved in some way in order to make a difference in the lives of others who have been affected. Our patient affairs division provides the opportunity for prostate cancer survivors and their families to join in and help. We need volunteers to assist with fundraising, to help create awareness and to support others who have been affected by prostate cancer. Contact Iain Johnston at patientaffairs@prostate-ca.co.za and help to make a difference.
Iain Johnston business entrepreneur & Thulani Sibisi winner of the 1986 Two Oceans Marathon head up our patient affairs board. They are both prostate cancer survivors and they both have a passion for educating men about prostate cancer, but they can’t do it alone. 2019 saw the addition of two new provincial patient affairs board heads, Paddy O’brien in The Western Cape and Mike Mina in KZN (far R). These men need all the help that they can get and we still need to establish branches in other provinces, so if you’re a prostate cancer survivor and you want to get involved then give us a shout and help us make a difference.
