October was National Breast Cancer Month.
This annual campaign aims to increase awareness of the disease, which does not affect only women, but men as well.
Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast divide and grow without their normal control.
Tumours in the breast tend to grow slowly; with between 50 and 75 per cent of breast cancers beginning in the milk ducts, about 10 to 15 per cent in the lobules and only a few in other breast tissues
The Life Roseacres Hospital brought their awareness campaign to a close by hosting an informative talk on breast cancer at the hospital, last Saturday, October 24.
Dr Leiyah Bassa, the hospital’s oncologist; Sandra Strydom, a breast cancer survivor and member of Reach for Recovery, a support group for people with breast cancer, and a team from the mammography centre, Fem Rad, spoke to members of staff at the hospital, as well as members of the public about the disease.
Bassa discussed the causes, risk factors, warning signs, detection and treatment.
“Know your own body,” she said.
Strydom spoke about the work Reach for Recovery does.
The organisation is first and foremost a breast cancer support group.
The non-medical programme is designed to help women with breast cancer in their return to daily life.
The event ended with those in attendance enjoying some delicious cupcakes.
