Liberty Life Namibia and the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) are collaborating during the month of November to provide free health screenings for 20 men per week.
Liberty Life Namibia is celebrating 20 years of operations in Namibia this November, and in keeping with its purpose of making a difference in people’s lives, the organization wants to give back to the community by collaborating with CAN on the ‘November Men’s Health Clinic’ campaign during the month of November.
Sr Aina Nghitongo from CAN told Nampa on Friday that Prostate cancer is a significant health concern in Namibia as in many parts of the world and incidence has been on the rise with advanced cases.
She said there is a low turnout for prostate cancer screening with several contributing factors such as poor awareness and importance of screening of men, risk factors associated with the disease and the benefits of early detection.
Tareekuje Tjiriange, from the Cancer Registrar, stated that at least 356 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually.
However, with the rise in numbers of men being screened, prostate cancer has now officially become the leading cancer per 100 000 by age group with 49.7 compared to breast cancer with 46.3 the 2019 data shows. Mouth, pharynx and colorectal cancer are among the top three cancers diagnosed in men annually,’’ said Tjiriange.
Monique Cloete, Liberty Life’s Managing Director, on her part, said that at Liberty Life, they are committed to not only making a difference in the lives of Namibians financially but also wholistically.
‘’It is in line with this purpose that we have decided to collaborate with CAN, to contribute towards providing men’s health screenings, with the hope of making an impact in the lives of people in our community, and to create awareness around men’s health issues,’’ she said.
The screenings will be available on Friday, 03 November, and then every Tuesday in November thereafter.