October will again be all about pink as organisations again create awareness of breast cancer throughout the month.
Treating breast and cervical cancer have been identified as a national priority with increasing incidences occurring and the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) urges women to go for annual health check-ups and screening to detect cancer early.
Apart from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in SA with a lifetime risk of one in 27, according to the 2019 National Cancer Registry (NCR). There is growing concern that most women present with late-stage cancers, which makes for a difficult prognosis.
Said Lorraine Govender, Cansa’s national manager: “Cansa plays an active role in educating women about the symptoms of breast cancer, and how to do monthly self-examination of breasts. Research has shown that a regular breast self-examination (BSE), plays an important role in discovering breast cancer, compared to finding a breast lump by chance. While not all breast lumps indicate cancer, they should be investigated. It’s vital to educate yourself and get to know the warning signs and symptoms.”
Furthermore, the organisation offers clinical breast examinations (CBE) at Cansa Care Centres to detect any irregularities and patients with medical-aid benefits can claim from their medical aids once they have paid for the screening. Women are entitled to an annual clinical breast examination when visiting primary health-care centres, Govender added.
A mammogram does not prevent breast cancer, but it can save lives by finding breast cancer as early as possible. Women from the age of 40 should go for an annual mammogram, for purposes of non-symptomatic breast screening. Women 55 years and older, should have a mammogram every two years – or if they choose, annually.
Some people have gene mutations that make them more likely to develop breast cancer. The most common gene mutations are found in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that normally produce proteins that protect one from cancer and help repair damaged DNA.
Women with one of the defects have more of a chance of getting breast cancer, so should be referred for an annual mammogram. Women can be screened at public hospital breast imaging units.
Lwazi Mathivha was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer when Cansa intervened, helped with access and advocated for timely diagnosis and treatment. “This helped me cope mentally and emotionally. They helped me with much needed support and are buffers by bridging the gap between the health system for patients and affected families,” she related.
The Cansa advocacy team makes decision-makers aware of challenges faced by cancer patients in accessing cancer screening and treatment, and lobbies for necessary changes needed to lower the public’s cancer risk and protect the rights of cancer patients and caregivers.
Cansa also has resources available to patients where breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body – metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Living with MBC is a long-term diagnosis with many side effects and daily challenges.
“The limitations of this condition don’t always allow survivors to attend face-to-face support groups, so it’s important to offer something meaningful and helpful online,” said Govender. With the help of experts and MBC survivor patients, our existing iSurvivor email support programme was re-written with a focus on the needs of MBC patients. Patients who sign up receive weekly emails over 16 weeks helping to guide and support them to cope.”
Patients can also sign-up for Cansa’s MBC WhatsApp support group by sending an email to info@cansa.org.za. Other support group options, online support resources, and free tele-counselling for patients, caregivers and loved ones can be accessed by contacting 0800 226 622 or counselling@cansa.org.za.
To support Cansa’s women’s health educational campaign, you can support the organisation’s events in October. You can buy a Doek with a Difference, a pair of earrings or wrap a tree as part of the Pink Trees for Pauline campaign, host or attend a Cuppa for Cansa event or a Cansa Spar Tea. For more details, send an email to Angelique de Witt on adewitt@cansa.org.za, or visit www.cansa.org.za.
