Passionately pink for breast cancer

The pink ribbon is an international symbol for breast cancer awareness. Many South Africans wear pink or pink items such as pins and ribbons in order to show their support for the cancer cause.

CANSA is also asking all women to look after their health and check their breasts each month for changes to help detect breast cancer early.

Looking after your health includes:

• Eating a diet low in animal fat and low in animal protein
• Eating a diet high in fibre including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
• Exercising regularly
• Avoiding being overweight
• Limiting your alcohol to one drink a day, if at all
• Breastfeeding your baby
• Avoiding Hormone Therapy

Breast cancer is a leading women's cancer in South Africa with one in 26 women diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. More than 3 000 women die each year from breast cancer in South Africa.

But the good news is that if you detect and treat breast cancer early, your have an excellent chance of fully recovering.

All women are at risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. “That is why every woman needs to examine her breasts and underarm every month, a week after her monthly period, to check for lumps, unusual swellings, puckering of the skin, sores, pain, rashes or any other possible symptoms of breast cancer,” says Martha Molete, Head of Communication at CANSA. If you have these symptoms, go to a health professional without delay. If you are over 40, ask your doctor how often to go for a mammogram.

Studies show that eight out of 10 lumps in your breast are harmless but they all must be checked.

Your doctor will organise a mammogram (special x-ray to detect lumps in the breast) and a biopsy, which is when a tiny sample of the lump is sent to the laboratory to see if it is cancer. If the result is positive, treatment may include a lumpectomy (when the lump is surgically removed), a mastectomy (the breast is removed), radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.

CANSA offices and partners are selling a number of pink items to spread awareness about breast cancer and raise funds for our services.

For more information and advice on cancer, contact CANSA toll-free Information Service during office hours at 0800 22 66 22 or see the website www.cansa.org.za or email info@cansa.org.za.