35 breast cancer ops at 5 hospitals in a single day
DETERMINED by the spirit of Mandela Day, an outstanding and unprecedented 35 breast cancer surgeries have been performed by Project Flamingo in a single day across five public healthcare facilities in South Africa.
The breast cancer non-governmental organisation was established in 2010, in response to the critical need for surgical intervention and breast cancer patient care at public health care facilities.
Since its establishment, Project Flamingo has performed more than 1 500 catch-up surgeries, and provided patient support as well as carrying out advocacy programmes.
The surgeries were performed by dedicated volunteer surgical teams on breast cancer patients in the Western and Eastern Cape on Saturday.
While the target was set at 30 surgeries, this was exceeded with 35 surgeries performed at Groote Schuur, Tygerberg, George, Cecilia Makiwane, and Livingstone Hospitals.
The teams comprised of volunteer surgeons, anaesthetists, specialists in training, medical students and patient support teams made up of Project Flamingo volunteers and former patients.
Nursing staff and theatre consumables are all paid for by Project Flamingo.
Project Flamingo founder and breast and endocrine surgeon Dr Liana Roodt said: “The programme runs throughout the year at all five hospitals, but what made Saturday special, because all the hospitals usually operate on a different Saturday during the month, is the fact that all five hospitals operated on the same day.”
For Mandela Day last year, the organisation performed 27 surgeries.
“So our aim this year was to do 30 surgeries and we actually overshot and we did 35 surgeries and that is what made it special.”
The organisation is determined to see equitable breast cancer care realised in South Africa by reducing waiting times for patients, and by providing access to timely, compassionate and holistic treatment for all.
The Mandela Day campaign aimed to reduce the backlog of patients waiting for the life-saving treatment; raise awareness of critical issues around breast cancer care in South Africa and the importance of early detection and treatment; and encourage other organisations and stakeholders to take bold steps in improving cancer care across the country.
Medical students were also involved on the day, in an effort to train the next generation of doctors in advocacy and cancer care.
Marlu Green, 24, a final year medical student at the University of Cape Town, has been a part of the student coordinating team for the past five years.
“The experience starts on a Friday afternoon when a team of us go visit the patients ahead of their surgery.
“These visits are aimed to connect with each patient and to ensure their pre-op nerves are acknowledged and to answer some burning questions they might have.
“These visits have taught me about the holistic care of a cancer patient and the importance of being a compassionate and caring doctor.”
She said being in the theatre with the Project Flamingo team has been a dream, with everyone excited to be a part of the organisation.
“The senior surgeons have time to teach students good surgical techniques, which we often don't get enough exposure to on a junior level.
“Being part of Project Flamingo has given my years as a student more purpose.
“I am taking so much more than just the average skills with me into an internship next year, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.”