Aspen partners with PinkDrive to expand cancer screening in South Africa

 SOUTH AFRICA – Aspen Pharmacare, a subsidiary of the global Aspen Group, has joined  forces with PinkDrive NPC to improve cancer screening accessibility in underserved communities. 

The collaboration will fund PinkDrive’s fourth mobile cancer screening clinic, expanding its fleet to serve better disadvantaged rural and peri-urban areas lacking access to medical facilities.

PinkDrive’s mobile clinics provide vital services, including mammograms, clinical breast exams, pap smears, and PSA tests for prostate cancer.

In addition to screenings, the clinics offer education on breast, cervical, prostate, and testicular cancers, aiming to empower communities with knowledge and encourage early detection.

Stavros Nicolaou, Aspen Group Senior Executive of Strategic Trade, noted that non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cancer, are rapidly becoming a major public health issue across South Africa and the African continent.

He emphasized that unchecked, these diseases could overwhelm healthcare systems, posing severe economic, social, and societal consequences.

Nicolaou highlighted the importance of early screening and intervention in preventing and managing cancers, stressing that early detection offers a better chance for effective treatment and survival.

For Aspen, partnering with PinkDrive aligns with its mission to tackle complex public health challenges.

Nicolaou expressed the organisation’s commitment to providing healthcare resources to vulnerable communities, pointing out that in many instances, patients only receive a diagnosis in the late stages of cancer, significantly reducing their chances of survival and leaving families to grapple with emotional and financial hardships.

PinkDrive CEO and Founder Noelene Kotschan echoed the importance of reaching marginalized communities, describing the mobile clinics as uniquely equipped to address the pressing needs of cancer patients.

Each unit is staffed with trained medical personnel who understand the unique cultural and educational needs of the areas they serve.

Kotschan stated that the mobile units aim to have a measurable impact by making cancer screening accessible and culturally sensitive, with outreach tailored to address language and education barriers.

Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, affecting one in eight women.

When detected early, breast cancer can often be successfully treated, drastically improving outcomes.

In South Africa, however, other cancers like cervical cancer remain a significant public health issue, driven largely by HPV infections.

Despite existing interventions, delays in testing often result in missed treatment opportunities, compounding the burden of cancer in the country.