According to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) Breast Cancer Unit, one in 28 South African women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.
These are often the caregivers in a home and as such, it is safe to say that it is a disease that affects at least one in 28 families in South Africa. Although more common in women over 40, it can also develop in younger patients.
Men can also develop breast cancer. The hospital’s Breast Cancer Unit sees one male for every 100 female patients. Breast cancer develops when normal cells of the breast change behaviour and grow out of control. The abnormal cells divide to form a tumour and this mass of cells is often palpable as a lump in the breast. The cells can also break off and spread to other places in the body by the lymph nodes or blood vessels to other organs.
The following are some of signs of breast cancer:
- A breast lump – the lumps are often not painful when they are small.
- Skin changes – this includes dimpling, redness, or an ulcer (a break in the skin).
- Nipple changes – the nipple can be pulled in or change direction, there can also be abnormal discharge from the nipple.
- A lump in the armpit – there can be palpable lymph nodes.
- A change in breast size and shape.
The diagnosis of breast cancer is distressing for any patient. In SA, many women are particularly vulnerable and face more hurdles to reach breast care. October for the Central Gauteng Lions (CGL) and Cricket South Africa signifies a period dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness, help society at large and encourage early testing.
The hospital’s Breast Care Unit is run by a team of dedicated specialists and nurses. They tirelessly provide access to quality breast care, regardless of geographical location and socio-economic status. The unit sees up to 350 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer every year and provides a service to seven district hospitals from Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and even further afield. Patients from other provinces and all over the continent are also accommodated.
On an annual basis, this hospital treats more than 200 000 patients. The hospital also trains numerous medical staff in breast care, making it a centre of excellence in this field.
“As the cricketing fraternity, we remain committed to lending our support to all breast cancer patients, members of the public who are in the front line to assist in finding the cure, caregivers and family members who lost their loved ones through breast cancer. We remain committed to supporting the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Breast Cancer Unit and will continue to raise the awareness around the scourge,” said Central Gauteng Lions CEO Jono Leaf-Wright.
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