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Approximately 19.4 million women aged 15 years and older live at-risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer.
In 2013, deaths from breast cancer and cancers of the female genital tract, accounted for 0.7% and 1% of all deaths in South African respectively.
The risk for breast cancer increases as women grow older, but many women under the age of 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer. All women are at risk, and in particular women with a family history of breast cancer.
Being overweight, inactive, consuming alcohol, poor dietary habits, smoking and exposure to chemicals also increases risk.
Awareness of the symptoms, and early detection through screening, can help lead to earlier diagnosis, resulting in improved treatment outcomes. Awareness of risk factors, can help women reduce their personal cancer risk.
Self Breast Examinations
While not all breast lumps indicate cancer, they should be investigated, especially if accompanied by other changes in breasts or the under arm area, such as lumps, texture changes, thickening, dimpling, changes in shape or size of nipples or breasts, tenderness, discharge, rash or swelling, or one breast suddenly being slightly larger than the other.
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.
A BSE should be done once a month, preferably at the same time of day, following a woman’s menstrual cycle.
If you feel or see any change in your breasts or underarms, arrange for a Clinical Breast Examination at your local CANSA Care Centre, primary health care centre or health practitioner.
Source: CANSA
