Cancer should not be a diagnosis determined by where you live. And, since its formal establishment in 2017, the Cancer Association of Namibia’s National Cancer Outreach Programme (NCOP) has taken cancer awareness, education and screening services beyond Namibia’s major centres and into communities across all 13 regions of Namibia. The programme aims to visit every region at least once each year, working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Services and other local stakeholders to educate communities about cancer, promote early detection and provide free screening for Namibia’s three most prevalent cancers.

 

Bringing screening closer to communities

For many Namibians, accessing cancer screening can mean travelling long distances and facing costs that may delay diagnosis and treatment.

The National Cancer Outreach Programme helps remove some of these barriers by bringing trained healthcare professionals directly into communities.

Each outreach campaign combines:

• Cancer awareness and health education

• Free cancer screening

• Information on risk reduction, signs and symptoms

• Guidance on seeking medical attention and follow-up care

• Referral of individuals requiring further investigation

• Support, where needed, to access diagnosis and treatment services in Windhoek

 

Early detection can make a profound difference. Our goal is simple: to find cancer earlier, connect people to the care they need, and ensure that distance does not become a barrier to saving a life.

 

A national programme powered by partnerships

The NCOP is made possible through collaboration. The programme’s annual screening campaigns are primarily funded through the Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project, whose continued support helps make free screening possible in communities across Namibia.

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We are also immensely grateful to members of Namibia’s tourism and hospitality industry who support the programme by providing complimentary accommodation for our outreach teams in many regions. Gondwana Collection Namibia is currently the founding and biggest such partner, with many smaller establishments across the country generously opening their doors for our project of hope, as well. This generosity has a direct impact. By reducing the cost of accommodation and other logistical expenses, more of the funds raised can be invested where they matter most: in screening people, supporting patients to receive timely diagnoses, and assisting those who need transportation to Windhoek for further treatment.

 

You can help us reach further

The National Cancer Outreach Programme belongs to all Namibians. As we continue expanding our reach, we invite individuals, businesses and organisations to take hands with CAN and become part of this national effort. Please consider to become a partner to expand our footprint?

Accommodation Partners: Hotels, guesthouses, lodges and other accommodation providers can support outreach teams by offering complimentary or subsidised accommodation.

Fuel & Transport Partners: Help our teams travel further by supporting the fuel and transportation costs associated with taking cancer screening into communities.

Volunteer Registered Nurses: Registered nurses who would like to volunteer their professional time during outreach campaigns are invited to join our screening teams and help us reach more people.

Every night of accommodation donated, every kilometre of fuel supported, every hour volunteered and every person screened makes a difference in the fight against cancer in Namibia.

 

For more information, please contact our CAN Medical Department at health@can.org.na