Don’t delay routine screening tests

Posted on 30 September 2020

Screening means checking your body for warning signs of disease, such as cancer, before you have symptoms.

When cancer isn’t detected early enough, it leads to poorer outcomes for patients. While it’s understandable that you might have postponed visiting your doctor or hospital during the last few months of lockdown, you can now consult your doctor for routine cancer screening tests, such as mammograms and colonoscopies.

As Dr Lee-Ann Jones, a clinical and radiation oncologist at Cancercare George says, “Certain warning signs may indicate the presence of cancer, but by the time a patient is aware of the symptoms, the cancer may have already started to spread. This can affect the treatment outcomes. Getting into the routine of having regular check-ups – and encouraging your family and friends to do the same – is vital.’

Regular mammograms, colonoscopies, pap tests and prostate cancer tests are the best methods for detecting cancer before it starts or at is at its earliest stages, when it’s easiest to treat.

Dr Jones, who consults at Mediclinic Plettenberg Bay, Mediclinic Geneva, Mediclinic Klein Karoo and Mediclinic George, adds, ‘Our focus on reducing the global cancer burden on health systems and communities must not waver. We have to remain diligent in the prevention, cure, care and management of the disease.  It’s imperative to take care of yourself by following three basic principles:

1. Don’t deviate from your annual or bi-annual cancer screening programme.
2. If you notice any new or unexpected symptoms, make an appointment with your primary health care provider immediately.
3. Remain on schedule with your active cancer treatment, at the advice of your treating oncology service provider.’

‘Mediclinic has implemented created a safe environment for all patients to receive care and have access to disease management.’

National guidelines recommend at what ages you need to be screened for particular cancers. However, if you have a family history of cancer or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend that you start screening sooner.

Mediclinic hospitals and emergency centres are equipped to deal with all patients. If you have a niggling health concern, are due for routine tests or have delayed procedures and consultations during the Covid-19 lockdown, you can now go to your nearest Mediclinic with confidence.