The Northern Cape department of health has marked October with a series of activities focusing on cancer awareness, early detection, patient support, staff wellness, and community engagement. Key focus this year is reaching young women and the broader community with information about breast cancer and women’s health, said provincial health spokesperson Lebogang Majaha.

The department continues to implement evidence-based strategies and expand platforms aimed at improving equitable access to cancer prevention and control services across the province, he added.

Oncology services in the province are largely centralised at Robert Sobukwe Tertiary Hospital in Kimberley. Decentralised services have also been implemented at Dr Harry Surtie Regional Hospital, Kuruman District Hospital and Dr Van Niekerk Hospital in Springbok.

These facilities continue to see patients presenting with cancer at advanced stages, highlighting the importance of recognising concerning changes early and seeking medical attention without delay, Majaha said.

“Breast cancer is another common threat to women’s health and is a more aggressive disease than prostate and cervical cancer. More than 3,600 cases were recorded provincially during the 2025/26 financial year.

“We encourage young women, in particular, as well as men over the age of 40, to undergo annual screening and seek treatment promptly where necessary. This underscores the importance of couples being screened together. The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chance of successfully beating the disease.”

Majaha said cancer continues to be perceived as a life-threatening illness in many communities, with stigma, limited public awareness, and challenges in accessing prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services contributing to these perceptions.

These challenges are particularly pronounced in the Northern Cape due to the province’s vast geographical area. Throughout October, the department’s oncology unit has hosted and supported awareness and educational initiatives as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Cancer care extends beyond medical treatment to include nutrition, rehabilitation, psychological and social support, palliative care, survivorship, and overall wellbeing, Majaha added.

The department has urged women to examine their breasts regularly and seek medical assistance at clinics and hospitals promptly if they notice any abnormalities.

Meanwhile, OFM has expanded its PinkTober campaign this year, introducing more fundraising events and extending its reach across central South Africa. The campaign also has a new beneficiary and an ambitious fundraising target of R1m to support people affected by breast cancer.

Under the theme Pushing Up PinkTober, the radio station has dedicated its time, energy, and airwaves throughout October to raising funds for Cansa and Reach for Recovery.

OFM marketing and sales manager Anchen Lintvelt said the station was committed to making this year’s campaign bigger and more impactful.

“We are so excited and very committed to going the absolute extra mile this PinkTober month to create a bigger and better experience for everybody who will be entering a team at any of our nine Bowling for Boobies events across Central South Africa! This way we will be able to raise more, donate more, and help more!”

Thus far, after six OFM Bowling 4 Boobies events, more than R1,23m has been raised with three more events to go, said Central Media Group CEO Nick Efstathiou.

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