Khayelitsha Hospital gets its Breast Oncology Clinic

A large number of people in the Western Cape suffering from breast cancer seek treatment from the public health system. Due to the large number of people requiring breast oncology services, many patients often experience long waiting times to receive their much needed treatment.

To address this, the surgical team at Khayelitsha Hospital, in collaboration with Tygerberg Hospital Breast Unit, started a breast cancer surgery project on Tuesday, 4 June 2019. A breast surgery specialist from Tygerberg Hospital performed a variety of breast surgical procedures on four patients with various types of breast cancer on this first breast outreach list.

With the aim to minimise waiting time to receive treatment and better management of breast pathology, this project will create decentralised breast care as Tygerberg Hospital still remains the only facility that provides mammography services. The aim is to establish a comprehensive breast clinic service within Khayelitsha’s District healthcare system over time.

The Department of General Surgery at Khayelitsha Hospital is also working to create an assessment clinic for various breast pathologies in order to fast-track the diagnosis and staging of breast cancer. In preparation for this service, a number of nurses at Khayelitsha Hospital completed training in breast care during May 2019.

Issued by the Directorate: Communications for Western Cape Government Health.