THE CEO of the recently opened Richards Bay Medical Institute (RBMI), which houses the most sophisticated cancer radiation therapy treatment facility in Africa, says in his many years in the medical industry he has not not seen such a high incidence of cancer as in Richards Bay and surrounds.
Mark Palmer admits he shares the public perception that the rate of cancer in the City of uMhlathuze is among the highest in the country?
Having admitted its first oncology patient just three months ago, RBMI is already seeing vast numbers of cancer patients, most of whom have spent years in the city.
On one day alone last week, an oncologist saw more than 30 patients.
‘For a community this size there is a significant incidence of cancer, and we are seeing new patients every day,’ said Palmer.
Not wishing to be drawn into the cause of the high numbers without supporting scientific data, Palmer did, however, say air and water quality, along with diet, are always concerns when it came to cancer.
He was especially disturbed about high levels of chlorine in tap water as the chemical has proven links to cancer.
‘Although all types of cancer are prevalent here, we do have a much higher rate of pelvic, abdominal and breast cancers as opposed to cranial and throat cancers.
‘The ratio is normally about 10 to 1, but we are seeing almost double that proportion here.’
Palmer said proper statistics should become public record, ‘so that constructive steps can be taken to rectify problems’.
This view was echoed by community activist Sandy Camminga, also a founder member of the Richards Bay Clean Air Association.
‘For many years residents have believed we have an abnormally high incidence of cancer and respiratory problems and that some in the medical profession are willing to declare this to patients behind closed doors, but not publicly.’
*Mark Palmer is to address the Ward 2 public meeting on 27 March on the topic: ‘How does what we eat, drink and breathe relate to cancer?’
Hi dit is baie hardseer,my ma het bors en keel kanker maar kan niks daar aan doen nie want sy het nie n medis of werk nie,wat kan ons doen om haar by die sentrum tekry dat hul haar kn help,en so mud ek ook gaan vr kanker toetse maar kn ook nie ek werk ook nie en het ook nie medis nie kn iemand vr my meer inligting gee asb.
Hi, I would also like more info.
I need to know how one go about getting tested for various cancers or do u have to be refered?
Thank you
We should be able to go for free tests and medical attention and free treatment just as we get for HIV / AIDS ect.
The industries around us are slowly killing us, the Doctors do know that the respiratory illness, eczema and cancer statistics are very high, a study needs to be done and corrective action taken.
I have a question if the cancer rate is high in and around richards bay why isn’t there a proper clean qualify medical staff at a clinic to offer test to potential cancer patients? I for one drinks easily my 2 l water a day, from oct’13 I experience problems with my breast, cansa refered me to ngwenlezane hospital, what a joke none of there staff nose about the breast clinic, after months and my breast just get worse I went to private dr who refer me to ngwenlezane breast clinic, I walk out for 2 time on the 5 march’14 as if the nurses and sister doesn’t even know where you need to go for breast clinic to see the specialise well then I don’t belong there, I trying for last 4 months to see a specialist at breast clinic with no success so I can rather wait another 3 months so I can join a medical aid so that I can get diognose and treated if its needed, if every one is aware that the cancer rate is so high around richards bay what is being done and what can be done to make it safer for us to live in and around richards bay, for one bottel water can be supplied to us if the city can provide us with clean save water, observer please keep us up to date with cancer in and around of richards bay,
Thanks to Sandy Camminga and Mark Palmer for speaking out please keep us updated and maybe it is time that us the residence in and around richards bay stand up and demand answers and if your cancer is related due to air pollution and water what can be done about it? Something to think about