October 12, 2005
By Buhle Makabane
IT MIGHT be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but Johannesburg is extending its awareness campaigns until the end of the year.
Breast cancer awareness is a continuous process, explains Maureen Rabosiwana, the City's assistant director for public health, and campaigns in some regions will be scheduled for forthcoming months.
Boosting awareness of the disease is about educating people on the importance of going for regular checkups and teaching them about what symptoms to look for, she says.
"It has become crucial to educate people about this, [the] most common cancer among women."
During the campaigns, people are told that breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women.
But "we still want to encourage people to come forward so that we can discuss the matter together".
She says some people have scant knowledge about cancer, but they can learn a lot about it at the City's health facilities.
"I just want to cry when I come across young women who come to the clinics and discover that the cancer is already in its final stages - that is very risky."
The public health department hopes to increase people's awareness about the disease and to motivate women to examine their own breasts once a month.
Breast self-examination can be done while in the shower or bath. It involves exploring the breast and underarm areas with the fingertips.
According to an information brochure by the Cancer Association of South Africa breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among white and Asian females, and the second most common cancer among black and coloured women.
Cancer of the cervix is the most common cancer in the latter groups.
Late menopause, early periods, a family history of breast cancer, a previous history of breast cancer, obesity and a high fat diet are some of the high risk factors. Having no children or having a first child after the age of 30 are also risk factors.
"Most lumps are harmless but they all must be checked," reads the brochure. "Women are also advised to go for a mammogram, a special x-ray to detect lumps in the breast.
"Baseline mammography is advisable for every female aged 35 to 39, and a bi-annual mammogram for women after the age of 50."
Treatment of breast cancer may include radiotherapy; lumpectomy, or removal of a lump; or mastectomy, or removal of the breast. In the late stages of breast cancer or to prevent recurrence, chemotherapy may be advised, according to the brochure.
Self-examination
The best time for a breast self-examination is after menstruation, when breasts are not tender or swollen. If menstruation is not regular, it is advisable to do the examination on the same day every month.
It helps to repeat the inspection with your arms stretched above your head and again with your hand pressed firmly on your hip.
Possible symptoms women should look out for include changes in the shape or size of the breasts, discharge or bleeding from the nipples, skin eruptions around the nipple, or retraction of the nipple.
Breast cancer affects women of all ages, but most commonly affects women in their 50s. The cancer can affect more than the breast and can be fatal if not detected early.
Permission to use web site material
Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as:
- Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website
(www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency
(www.joburg.org.za)";
- If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original
article on this website;
- The name of the article's author is acknowledged;
-
The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill
in this brief online form).
Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 |
