Breast cancer awareness month

LYDENBURG – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This type of cancer is most commonly diagnosed among South African women.

Breast cancer survivor, Charmaine Knoetze (48) is living proof that the disease can be conquered.

Knoetze says her life has changed ever since she was diagnosed with cancer, and removing her breast changed her physical appearance.

She now has to put padding that resembles a breast in her bra, until she gets her new reconstructed breast.

“I have to eat healthily, keep fit and when we go swimming, I cannot wear a swimming costume anymore,” she said.

“Before I was diagnosed, I use to feel tired all the time and when my right breast became painful, I decided to go for a mammogram,” she explained.

Her results were ready the next day and on her arrival she was told that she had breast cancer.

That very day preparations for her operation in Rob Ferreira Hospital in Mbombela were made. After a week, she was transferred to Steve Biko Hospital in Johannesburg for chemotherapy.

Chemo is a drug therapy that can kills cancer cells or stops them from multiplying.

During the treatment her hair began to fall out. “Losing my hair was the hardest part of my treatment so I decided to shave my head,” she said.”I started crying when I saw my hair on the floor and my hairstylist also cried.”

Chemotherapy drugs are powerful medication that attacks rapidly growing cancer cells, including those in hair roots.

“My family, friends and the CANSA supporting team buoyed me during my ordeal and I am forever grateful for having had an amazing team on my side,” said Knoetze with a smile.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet can be the key to preventing cancer. High fat diets, alcohol and smoking are factors that can increase the risk of getting the disease.

Warning signs are swelling of the breasts, skin irritation or dimpling, breast or nipple pain, nipples turning inward, redness or thickening of the skin, discharge and a lump in the underarm area.

Rona Labuschagne, community mobiliser service-delivery nurse of CANSA in Mbombela, says women must examine their breasts every month and this should be taken seriously. “Those who do not know how to examine their breasts can make an appointment at the clinic. It is important that breast cancer is detected early,” said Labushagne.

Self-examination at home:

• Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror, keep your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

Check if they are the usual size, shape and colour. If you see any of the following changes, inform your doctor immediately: puckering, bulging of the skin or a nipple that has changed position or an inverted one (pushed inward instead of sticking out), redness, soreness, rash, or swelling.

• Raise your arms and look for the same changes. Look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (it could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).

Feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left for the right breast.

Use a firm, smooth touch with your fingers, keeping them flat and together.Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

• Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast.

Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel them is when their skin is wet.

“Breast cancer is not a death sentence. If it is detected early enough, it can be treated and cured,” Labuschagne added.

“Transfers have increased, compared to last year. The number of young people with cancer is increasing. In the past breast cancer was associated with older women, but not any more,” she added.