The Cancer Association of Namibia (WO30) annually hosts “Cancer Awareness Week” during the first week of August.
This is a time when we invite Namibians from all walks of life to engage, ask questions, help break the stigmas and take hands to fight cancer and support those afflicted by the disease.
Visit CAN in Windhoek at 90 John Meinert Street, Windhoek West; or the CAN Erongo Centre at 3C Ferdinand Stich Street, Swakopmund for more information, medical screening or counselling.
What is Cancer?
The term cancer refers to a group of diseases. Although there are over 200 regularly defined different types of cancer, all cancers are characterised by abnormal cell growth. If left untreated, this disease can lead to death.
How Cancer Starts:
Your body is made up of trillions of living cells. Within each cell are genes that control and direct the cell’s functions. Normal cells continuously grow and divide. Over time, they die and are replaced by new ones. In most people, this natural cell replacement occurs in an orderly and organised manner. However, this process sometimes breaks down. Unlike normal healthy cells, cancer cells do not die. Instead, they continue to grow and divide in an uncontrollable manner. These defective cells may form a mass of tissue called a tumour.