BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer among South African women. According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), more than 20 per cent of all cancer patients in the country have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Statistics suggest that one in 35 women will develop breast cancer.
These alarming statistics highlight the importance of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The aim of the annual campaign is to encourage regular check-ups and to raise awareness regarding the widespread disease.
Most women are aware of cancer, but fail to take the necessary precautions to ensure early detection or to live a healthy lifestyle to reduce their risk, said Cara Noble, CANSA divisional services manager in KwaZulu-Natal.
“People need to realise that cancer can affect any person regardless of their race, age or gender. If you know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, show them some love and support – cancer is not contagious,” she said.
Cancer has been defined as a malignant tumour or growth caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division. Early detection is therefore important, because if the cancer is not stopped it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or blood stream.
“In many cases, the survival of a cancer patient is dependent on the support they receive. CANSA aims to provide education to help family and friends support the loved ones that have been diagnosed and also to provide support and counselling to the cancer patients themselves – all this in addition to detection and treatment support,” she added.
Zanele Mkhwanazi is one of the women receiving care and support from the NPO. Mkhwanazi is an inspiration to all cancer patients, said Noble.
Not only has she defeated breast cancer twice, but has also successfully overcome ovarian cancer. Now the brave survivor is fighting through her third course of treatment for breast cancer.
The mother and wife was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 and again in 2006, after locating lumps in one of her breasts and chest. Then she was horrified when doctors diagnosed her stomach cramps as ovarian cancer in 2012. She has had to undergo chemotherapy, radiation therapy, a mastectomy and a hysterectomy.
Despite being diagnosed with breast cancer for a third time earlier this year, she is determined to defeat the disease once and for all.
“I have beaten cancer before and I will do it again. I have to. I have to be strong for my daughters. I only cried the first time that I was diagnosed. It was a huge shock and my daughters were still young, but now I have to set an example for them,” said Mkhwanazi.
To improve the lives of breast cancer patients and survivors, CANSA has appealed to the community to support their ‘Knitting Knockers’ campaign.
“People can participate by either buying a Knitted Knockers package (which costs R50), knitting the two wool breast prostheses and giving them to a family member in need or to donate them back to CANSA so that we can distribute them to cancer patients,” said Noble.
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