Cancer is a growing concern in South Africa

Cancer is a complex, life-threatening disease which sadly, affects one in four South Africans today.

If you’re diagnosed with cancer it can be hard to accept and may bring on a range of different emotions including: fear, stress, surprise, confusion, and anger. It’s certainly not easy but we’re here to help make sense of it all with you, and make sure that you receive the care you need.

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How common is cancer in South Africa?

Cancer currently affects 1 in 4 South Africans, but it is a growing national health and
socio-economic concern.

1:7
1:7
1:7
SA women risk developing cancer in their lifetime.

* excluding BCC (basal cell carcinomas)

1:6
1:6
1:6
SA men risk developing cancer in their lifetime.

* excluding BCC (basal cell carcinomas)

 
 
 

Managing risk: genetic predisposition

Cancer can sometimes appear to “run in families” even if it is not caused by inherited genes. For example, a shared environment or lifestyle, such as tobacco use, can cause similar cancers to develop among family members.

However, certain patterns that are seen in members of a family - such as the types of cancer that develop, other non-cancer conditions that are seen, and the ages at which cancer typically develops - may suggest the presence of an inherited susceptibility to cancer.

Genetic testing

Genetic testing looks for specific inherited changes (variants) in a person’s genes. Genetic variants can have harmful, beneficial, have no effect, or unknown or uncertain effects on the risk of developing diseases.

Harmful variants in some genes are known to be associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. These inherited variants are thought to contribute to about 5 to 10% of all cancers.

cancer in south africa

Managing risk: genetic predisposition

There can be benefits to genetic testing, regardless of whether a person receives a positive or a negative result.

  • 01

    An informative negative test can provide the person with peace of mind that a harmful gene variant was not inherited.

  • 02

    A positive test result provides the person an opportunity to understand and, in some cases, manage their cancer risks.

  • 03

    For people who are already diagnosed with a cancer, results of genetic testing may help them make decisions about their treatment and understand their risk for other cancers.

  • 04

    Genetic testing provides an opportunity for family members to learn about their own cancer risks.

Managing risk: genetic predisposition

Genetic counselling is generally recommended before any genetic testing for a hereditary cancer syndrome and may also be performed after the test, especially if a positive result is found and a person needs to learn more about the hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome they have been found to have.

This counselling should be performed by a trained genetic counsellor or other healthcare professional who is experienced in cancer genetics. This process usually covers many aspects of the testing process, including a hereditary cancer risk assessment based on an individual’s personal and family medical history.

Discussion of:

The appropriateness of genetic testing and potential harm and benefit of testing.

The possibility that a test result might not be informative.

The risk of passing a variant to children.

Explanation of the specific test(s) that might be used and the technical accuracy of the test(s) and their interpretation.

The medical implications of positive, negative, and uncertain test results.

The psychological risks and benefits of genetic test results.

The impact of testing for the family.

The best test to perform.

The importance of genetic counselling

Genetic counselling may also include discussing recommendations for preventive care and screening with the patient, referring the patient to support groups and other information resources, and providing emotional support to the person receiving the results.

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Further information

Contact the central customer service centre on

[email protected] or 0860 NETCARE (0860 638 2273)

Please note that the centre operates on weekdays between 08:00 and 16:00.

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