Breast cancer: Men also at risk

Breast cancer no longer is thought of exclusively being a woman’s disease.

The Gauteng Department of Health recently hosted a breast cancer awareness information session at the Westonaria Police Station.

The initiative was put forward by Thabisa Langeni, a social worker at Westonaria Police Station. She collaborated with Mmakondo Serala, chief community liason officer for Heath Promotion at the Gauteng Department of Health.

At the awareness session the focus was placed on breast cancer in men, since it generally is assumed that men cannot get breast cancer as they do not have breasts.

“Just because men do not have protruding breasts does not mean they cannot get breast cancer,” said Serala.

Serala demonstrated a self-examination that both men and women can perform on themselves. Her pointer to the men and women in the crowd was that they always should do the examination after taking a bath or shower as one’s true body form is revealed when wet.

She said the examination should be done while standing up straight with one arm in the air or laying flat on the ground.

Panic was seen on the faces of men attending the session and many questions arose, but these concerns were put to rest by Serala. A dummy breast also was passed around so men and women could feel what a non-cancerous breast feels like as a point of reference.

Tuberculosis and HIV testing as well as counselling also were done on the day by Sizabanthu Traditional Healers, an NGO that works hand in hand with the department.

Serala is confident that the message was brought across to men about the dangers of assuming that they are not at risk of getting breast cancer.