Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

Prostate cancer among black men is on the rise – UFS study

12 February 2024 | Story André Damons | Photo SUPPLIED

Prostate cancer and the mortality rates associated with it, particularly among black men, are on the rise in South Africa, regardless of the existing national guidelines for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. These increases represent a significant public health concern.

This is according to a recent study by Dr Matthew Benedict, Senior Lecturer and Medical Specialist in the Department of Family Medicine in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS). Dr Benedict graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy degree at the December 2023 graduation ceremonies. Alongside his colleague, Dr Chika Egenasi, they became the first PhD holders with a specialisation in Clinical Family Medicine at the UFS.

This study could help elevate awareness around prostate cancer and ultimately enhance screening practices aimed at black men.

Dr Benedict says prostate cancer cases increased from 29 per 100 000 men in 2007 to 68 per 100 000 men in 2018. PSA screening remains a practical method for early detection and improved outcomes, despite the risks of overdiagnosis and overtreatment. The existing approach to prostate cancer screening, however, fails to adequately address the unique challenges faced by black men.

Underrepresentation of men's health issues

Dr Benedict says his study therefore sought to identify gaps relating to the prostate cancer screening approach in the Free State by simultaneously exploring two perspectives – that of primary healthcare providers and black men (healthcare users) – and the proffered strategies to address the identified gaps.

The decision to embark on this research stemmed from the observed underrepresentation of men's health issues in South African healthcare systems and media. Dr Benedict highlighted that despite the existence of national registries for breast and cervical cancers, there is a notable absence of a similar registry for prostate cancer (PCa).

“This lack of prioritisation and emphasis on secondary prevention strategies tailored to PCa is evident. Additionally, the racial disparities in PCa morbidity and mortality are exacerbated by inadequate representation of black men in research on this disease,” he says.

Low screening uptake

In the Free State, which has the lowest life expectancy compared to the national average, the black population faces disproportionate challenges related to lower socioeconomic status and poorer health outcomes. Prioritising equitable access to essential primary healthcare services, including screening, is crucial in this context.

Dr Benedict explained that the findings of his research revealed that aggressive prostate cancer is prevalent among black men in the study setting, with poor knowledge and awareness of the disease and low screening uptake being observed. “Factors such as dietary habits, lifestyle, and presentation time were associated with aggressive disease at diagnosis, and cultural beliefs influenced screening uptake among men.

“Factors associated with a higher intention to screen included reduced fear, perceived benefits, situational barriers, and perceived risk of developing prostate cancer. The majority of the primary healthcare providers demonstrated poor knowledge (64.8%), neutral attitudes (58.6%) and poor practice (40.0%) related to prostate cancer screening. Female providers, lower cadre nurses and community health workers had lower knowledge scores.”

The study also found lack of prostate cancer-related continuing education was significantly associated with poor knowledge, negative attitudes, and poor practice among healthcare providers. The study proposed strategies to address the identified gaps among black men and primary healthcare providers. Community-oriented approaches involving the active participation of both healthcare providers and community members were emphasised. These strategies focused on the discussion of prostate cancer health education topics in public spaces, employing diverse, comprehensive, user-friendly, and culturally sensitive methods.

Delay in diagnosing

According to Dr Benedict, the delay in diagnosing prostate cancer among South African individuals is linked to the absence of a dedicated screening programme, and a predominantly rural population facing challenges like low socioeconomic status, high unemployment rates, and limited health literacy. Cultural perceptions of the disease, men's perspectives on masculinity and illness, a hesitancy to seek help, and a reluctance to assume the sick role also contribute.

“Furthermore, adherence to strong traditional beliefs often steers individuals towards consulting traditional healers instead of seeking medical assistance in clinics or hospitals. Numerous barriers to accessing health services in impoverished rural communities compound the issue, leading to instances of ‘lost to follow-up’ [patients who drop out of research studies or treatment programmes].”

Symptoms of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer might not exhibit noticeable symptoms during its initial stages, explained Dr Benedict, but as the condition progresses patients may experience diverse symptoms. The majority of these patients commonly experience signs of bladder outflow obstruction, such as a weakened urine stream, hesitancy in urination, nocturia, and a sense of incomplete bladder emptying. In certain instances, the tumour can lead to acute urinary retention. Advanced prostate cancer may present with symptoms linked to ureteric obstruction or bony metastasis. Night-time pain that alleviates with movement can result from bone metastasis.

According to the researcher, the primary focus of the research is on screening and early diagnosis. Screening involves assessing apparently healthy individuals for the presence of a disease, even if symptoms are not evident. While specific symptoms like lower urinary tract symptoms may indicate conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or urinary tract infections rather than prostate cancer, the presence of more advanced symptoms like lower back pains, weight loss, and bloody urine often suggest a more progressed stage of the disease.

Enhanced screening practices

The study highlights deficiencies in prostate cancer screening of black men in the Free State, and Dr Benedict said he anticipates receiving support to facilitate the implementation of the recommended strategies stemming from this research. Implementing the proposed targeted strategies designed for black men and their primary healthcare providers has the potential to elevate awareness and knowledge and ultimately enhance screening practices among black men.

News Archive

UFS to investigate implementation of quality-monitoring system for SA food industry

2006-02-07

Some of the guests who attended the workshop were from the left Prof James du Preez (Chairperson: Department of Biotechnology at the UFS); Prof Lodewyk Kock (Head: South African Fryer Oil Initiative (SAFOI) at the UFS)); Mrs Ina Wilken (Chairperson: South African National Consumer Union (SANCU)); Prof Herman van Schalkwyk (Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS) and Mr Joe Hanekom (Managing Director of Agri Inspec).
Photo: Stephen Collet

UFS to investigate implementation of quality-monitoring system for SA food industry

The University of the Free State (UFS) will be investigating the implementation of a quality-monitoring service for the South African food industry.

This was decided during a workshop to discuss the external quality monitoring in the edible oil industry of South Africa, which was recently held at the UFS.

Major role players in the fast-food sector like Nando's, Spur, Captain
Dorego's, King Pie Holdings, Black Steer Holdings, etc and various oil
distributors like Felda Bridge Africa, Refill Oils, PSS Oils and Ilanga Oils attended
the workshop. Also present was Mrs Ina Wilken, Chairperson of the South African National Consumer Union (SANCU) and key-note speaker of this workshop. She represented the consumer.

These role players all pledged their support to the implementation of this quality- monitoring system for the whole food industry.

The decision to implement this system follows the various malpractices reported in the press and on TV concerning food adulteration (eg the recent Sudan Red Scare), misrepresentation (eg olive oil scandal exposed in 2001) and the misuse of edible frying oils by the fast-food sector.

“One of the basic rights of consumers is the right to safe food. Consumers must be protected against foods and food production processes which are hazardous to their health. Sufficient guarantee of the safety of all food products and food production processes should be implemented. It does not help to have adequate food standards and legislation and there is no manpower to do the necessary investigation or monitoring,” said Mrs Wilken.

The South African Fryer Oil Initiative (SAFOI), under the auspices of the UFS Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, currently monitors edible oils in the food industry and makes a seal of quality available to food distributors.

“Last week’s decision to implement the quality-monitoring system implies that we will now be involving also other departments in the UFS Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences who are involved in various aspects of the food chain in an endeavor to implement this quality monitoring system,” said Prof Herman van Schalkwyk, Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS and one of the main speakers at the workshop.

Prof van Schalkwyk said that the main aim of such a system will be to improve the competitiveness of the South African food industry. “It is clear that the role players attending the workshop are serious about consumer service and that they agree that fraudulent practice should be monitored and corrected as far as possible. Although some of the food outlets have the capacity to monitor the quality of their food, it may not seem to the consumer that this is an objective process. The proposed external monitoring system would counteract this perception amongst consumers,” said Prof van Schalkwyk.

The workshop was also attended by representatives from SAFOI and Agri Inspec, a forensic investigation company collaborating with inter-state and government structures to combat fraud and international trade irregularities.

Agri Inspec has been working closely with SAFOI for a number of years to test the content of edible oils and fats. “Extensive monitoring and control actions have been executed in the edible oil industry during the past four years to ensure that the content and labeling of oil products are correct. Four years ago almost 90% of the samples taken indicated that the content differed from what is indicated on the label. This has changed and the test results currently show that 90% of the products tested are in order. However, to maintain this quality standard, it is necessary that quality monitoring and educational campaigns are continuously performed,” said Mr Joe Hanekom, Managing Director of Agri Inspec.

“The seal of quality presented by SAFOI should also be extended to include all the smaller oil containers used by households,” Mrs Wilken said.

The SAFOI seal of quality is currently displayed mainly on some oil brands packed in bigger 20 liter containers, which include sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil etc which are used by restaurants and fast food outlets. “Any oil type is eligible to display the seal when meeting certain standards of authenticity. In order to display the seal, the distributor must send a sample of each oil batch they receive from the manufacturer to SAFOI for testing for authenticity, ie that the container’s content matches the oil type described on the label. This is again double checked by Agri Inspec, which also draws samples countrywide from these certified brands from the end-user (restaurant or fast food outlets). If in breach, the seal must be removed from the faulty containers,” said Prof Lodewyk Kock, Head of SAFOI.

“It should however be taken into account that oils without a seal of quality from the UFS can still be of high quality and authentic. Other external laboratories equipped to perform effective authenticity tests may also be used in this respect,” said Prof Kock.

“It is also important to realise that any oil type of quality such as sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil etc can be used with great success in well controlled frying processes,” he said.

Further discussions will also be held with the Department of Health, the SA National Consumer Union and Agri Inspec to determine priority areas and to develop the most effective low-cost monitoring system.

More information on the UFS oil seal of quality and oil use can be obtained at www.uovs.ac.za/myoilguide

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
6 February 2006

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept