#BreastCancer: A talk about the silent killer is given at Domestic Watch lesson
CRAIGHALL PARK – Domestic workers and gardeners got themselves some useful information on health during MAD Penny's lessons with speakers from Breast Health Foundation.
Community members not only need tips against crime but also some lessons on health, especially the ‘silent killer’ cancer.
This according to the founder of Making a Difference (Mad) and motivational speaker, Penny Steyn who gave a talk on cancer at one of her Domestic Watch lessons.
“To get sick is not fun, it’s costly and we can lose good people unnecessarily,” she said.
“One of my mottos is ‘not knowing can kill or destroy’ so it is vital for all of us to be empowered with greater knowledge.”
A guest speaker at the event, Jeanette Nkabinde, who is a community educator of Breast Health Foundation, illustrated how people could self-examine themselves for breast cancer.
“You stand in front of a mirror, then place your arm on your hip firmly, then massage breast right round to feel for any lumps, make sure to include your collar-bone area, under armpits then towards the stomach. Also look out for discharge on the nipple that comes out without having to squeeze.”
Nkabinde advised that if a lump was found, one should go to the doctor immediately. She added that not all lumps were cancerous and one that was could grow and spread without pain which is why it’s called a silent killer.
Also present was breast cancer counsellor of the foundation, Ouma Mamatela who urged people not to wait till they were sick to go for check-ups.
“Young ones do sonar or ultra-sound, mothers from the age of 40 do a mammogram once a year unless if found to be a high-risk person,” she said.
She added that if a lump was discovered early, a lumpectomy would be done to remove the lump, otherwise a mastectomy would be carried out to remove the whole breast and reconstruction done by using fat or tissue from one’s body.
The two speakers also touched on other types of cancer including womb cancer and prostate cancer. Mamatela concluded that people needed to be open about such issues and avoid stereotype talk which implies that such illnesses were caused by witchcraft.
Steyn emphasised that people needed more rest and less stress, as stress was the greatest contributor to cancer and most other illnesses.
Details: Penny Steyn madpenny@absamail.co.za
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