October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer … it’s a scary thought and all too many women assume that it won’t happen to them. Fact is that the incidence of breast cancer among South African women is increasing and it is one of the most common cancers among women in South Africa.
According to a recent statement by the Department of Health it is the most prevalent cancer among white and Asian women and the second most common cancer among black and coloured women. So, don’t be ignorant: During Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2019 go for a medical checkup, it might save your life.
Early signs of breast cancer can be a lump in a breast, a painful breast or armpit, or a discharge from the nipple. Even if none of these symptoms present themselves, a doctor should be visited to be sure. A doctor will most likely perform a manual examination and send you for a mammogram. A mammogram examination is painless and only takes about ten minutes.
If any of these symptoms do present themselves there’s no need to panic. Pain or a lump in a breast can be perfectly harmless. The pain can be a sign of a cyst or the lump can be benign, but it’s always better to be sure. If the mammogram shows a lump, your doctor will order a biopsy. This test will show if the lump is benign (harmless) or malignant (cancerous). If the lump is cancerous there’s still no reason to panic. Early detection is a life
saver. By way of a simple operation the lump is removed after which the doctor will discuss further options with you.
If you’ve never had a mammogram, make an appointment during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You can take a friend or family member with you and afterwards you’ll have peace of mind.

Facts about breast cancer:
Early detection of the condition can lead to effective treatment and a positive prognosis. About 90% of patients survive for many years after diagnosis when breast cancer is detected at the early stages.

Regular breast examination by yourself and regular mammograms are key to early detection.

Presenting yourself early for treatment may result in more effective treatment, leading to a reduction in pain and suffering and a significant decrease in the loss of life.
* The designation of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in South Africa reflects a nationwide drive by public and private healthcare structures to raise awareness of this debilitating disease across all races and class structures.