According to the Department of Health, over one-third of cancers are preventable, which means cancer risk can be reduced.
Deputy Minister of Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said cancer was the second leading cause of death globally.
Dhlomo was speaking on World Cancer Awareness Day, under the theme #CloseTheCareGap
He said lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer were the most common types of cancer in men.
Breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer were the most common among women.
“The burden of cancer continues to grow globally, exerting physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems,” said Dhlomo.
The department urged South Africans to go for regular cancer screening and testing for early detection, prevention, risk reduction and successful treatment.
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane urged…