There is an anticipated peak in breast cancer numbers in Cape Town, due to the impact of Covid-19, according to dr Liana Roodt, specialist breast, endocrine and general surgeon at Groote Schuur Hospital. Roodt’s comment comes during breast cancer month.
The anticipated peak could be a result of a lack of theatre space availability during lockdown, and a shortage in staff members, as well as state clinics which are only expected to function normally by 2021, Roodt explained.
“You see this across the world, where medical resources are limited. However, South Africa was at a disadvantage even before Covid-19. Those challenges are now multiplied,” Roodt said.
Dr Liana Roodt started Project Flamingo with the aim of reducing the delay between the time at which a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, and the time she receives her surgery. “There are 3 main components in breast cancer treatment- chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy, radiation, and surgery, and depending on the type and stage of cancer, the order of the treatments differ,” dr Kyla Comins, a volunteer at Project Flamingo, said. PHOTO: Supplied/Liana Roodt
According to Roodt, the breast clinics at Tygerberg Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital were managed at limited capacity during lockdown. This resulted in limited theatre space availability and more than a 50% decrease in staff members during lockdown, she said. Tygerberg Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital are the hospitals with state-funded breast clinics in the area, said Roodt.
“The amount of people that are dependent on the public health sector far outweighs the sector’s ability to provide,” Roodt said.
According to Roodt, patients also struggled to find transportation. “That is if they weren’t too afraid to visit state clinics and be tested,” she said.
Along with funding and performing breast cancer surgeries, Project Flamingo covers theatre costs and nursing staff payments. They also provide ‘Pamper Packs’ to breast cancer patients – these packets are filled with items for newly diagnosed women. PHOTO: Supplied/Liana Roodt
Project Flamingo
Roodt, who is also the founder of the non profit Project Flamingo, said that her organisation was able to provide the funds to cover and perform operations for six to 12 women per month before the national lockdown.
But the organisation – which raises funds for breast cancer surgeries, including payment for nursing staff and theatre time – was unable to assist any women from April to September since hospitals were unable to perform any surgeries, she said. This was owing to limited bed occupancy, lack of nursing staff and theatre time that was cut due to Covid-19, Roodt said.
“Across the board all non-Covid-19 things declined. Not because they weren’t happening, but because people were reluctant to go to healthcare facilities for fear of catching Covid-19,” said dr Kyla Comins, a volunteer at Project Flamingo.
Project Flamingo is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. They launched a new website on 6 October in celebration of their anniversary, but also to ensure a more user-friendly platform for patients, their families and donors. PHOTO: Supplied/Liana Roodt
According to Comins, many women could have found lumps in this time, but didn’t seek attention, or missed their routine mammogram or doctor’s screening visits. These women are all visiting clinics now as things are opening up again, she said.
“This has a large impact on these women in terms of progress,” said Michelle Rennie, executive director of Project Flamingo.
According to Rennie, these women are extremely vulnerable.
“Now, more than ever, awareness is not enough. The need for the availability of resources is crucial. We need advocacy and action,” Roodt said.