Cansa holds Clinical Breast Examination Screening Day
Cansa wants to educate residents.
DURING October Cansa highlights the important role that women can play in taking ownership of their personal health.
On October 26, Cansa Care Centres are holding a national Clinical Breast Examination Screening Day teaching women how to do breast self-examinations while nurses perform Clinical Breast Examinations. Mobile Health Clinics offer these services to women in remote rural areas.
According to statistics from the National Cancer Registry (NCR) 2014, the top five cancers affecting women in SA include breast, cervical, colorectal, uterine and lung cancer.
“It’s important to empower women with knowledge regarding lowering their cancer and health risk and recognising warning signs. We also encourage monthly breast self-examinations, annual medical check-ups and cancer screening for early detection, as symptoms don’t always present until cancer has spread. Women need to lead a healthy, balanced lifestyle, cutting out lifestyle factors that increase their cancer risk,” said Elize Joubert, Cansa’s CEO.
Breast cancer survivor, Melissa Willemse says, “When it comes to breast cancer age is not a factor. The first doctor I saw immediately dismissed my question about the painful lump under my arm because I was too young for breast cancer. When I eventually went for a second opinion we found out I had stage three triple negative breast cancer. I was 28 the first time and now at 32, I’ve just finished treatment for a recurrence. If you feel something is wrong don’t hesitate to get a second opinion. Cancer doesn’t care how old you are.”
Cansa advocates a mammogram every year for all women from age 40 for purposes of non-symptomatic breast screening. Visit the Cansa website for a list of public hospitals and clinics offering mammogram. Also, possible mammography offered at reduced fees, at participating Radiological Society of South Africa affiliated mammography clinics during October.
Cansa Care Centres offer a variety of breast prostheses at affordable rates for those who had to undergo a mastectomy/lumpectomy and offer advice to help cope with the side effects of cancer treatment. For more information, contact Cansa on 011 869 5644.
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