Prof Benn regrettably terminated her services with the hospital at the end of September 2022 after serving the Department for many years.

The Department remains grateful for the contribution made by Prof Benn over 17 years in the field and wishes her well in her future endeavours. Her immense contribution as a surgical specialist has contributed in profiling the Helen Joseph Hospital’s clinic as a centre of excellence. Under her watch, the unit provided training to a number of healthcare practitioners who learnt a lot from her, some of whom continue to provide services at the clinic.

The Helen Joseph Hospital’s breast clinic attends to about 500 to 600 patients monthly who present at the facility with different breast related conditions and performs about 20 to 30 surgeries per month.

The process of recruiting a suitable candidate to take over from Prof Benn will commence in earnest. In the interim, the facility will be overseen by the hospital’s surgical department.

Furthermore, with October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, different healthcare facilities in the province are on a campaign to create awareness as well as to educate the public about the importance of regular screening and early detection.

Detecting breast cancer early provides the best chance of surviving the disease. It is important for women of all ages to know how to perform self- examination to be able to spot any abnormalities in their breasts. Discovering breast cancer early means there are more treatment options, and the chances of survival are more.

Breast cancer forms in the cells of the breasts and occurs mainly in women and rarely in men. Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple and changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast.

Treatment depends on the stage of cancer. It may consist of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery but with early detection, the cancer can be beaten.

Communities are encouraged to use the various health facilities across the province that offer breast cancer services for regular check-ups and early diagnosis.

Ends

Issued by Gauteng Department of Health and Wellness

For more information, contact Tshepo Shawa, Spokesperson for the MEC for Health and Wellness: 072 222 6333 or Tshepo.Shawa@gauteng.gov.za

OR
Motalatale Modiba, Head of Communication: 064 803 0808 or

mediaenquiries@gauteng.gov.za

For media releases, speeches and news visit the Gauteng Department of Health and Wellness’ portal at www.gauteng.gov.za