Have you checked your breasts today? Here is how to in few easy steps

AS we commemorate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, women are encouraged to get themselves examined.

Janice Benecke, the marketing and events coordinator for PinkDrive, said breast cancer is the most common form of cancer for women of all races in South Africa, with one in 27 having a lifetime risk.

PinkDrive, which is a non-governmental organisation, believes that early detection can prolong life and that prevention is better than cure.

They offer free breast examinations, education, pap smears, ultrasounds, mammograms, among other services.

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Benecke said breast cancer awareness month served as a reminder for women and men to get themselves checked for cancer.

“It is a great reminder as people can easily forget to have themselves checked.”

She said there were various early signs that one should look out for.

These include the change in size or shape of the breast, a lump in the breast that is hard to the touch, the nipple changes in appearance and it may become sunken or inverted, and a rash around or on the nipples, among other signs.

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Benecke said a woman should do a self-examination of the breast once a month.

“You need to do your breast examination seven days after your period every month then once a year by a professional. If you do not have your period, then choose a day that you won’t forget.

“Remember, you are looking for a hard lump. Feel your elbow to get an idea of what you are looking for. However, if you find a lump, please don’t self-diagnose yourself and think you have cancer as it could be a cyst, rather get a professional to check it out,” she said.

Benecke said women are also encouraged to have a mammogram, which is an x-ray of the breast.

“After the x-ray is taken, a radiologist will analyse it for any abnormalities. A mammogram is important as it will show changes in the breast long before it can be felt. A lump can be felt when it is 1 to 2cm in size.

“A mammogram can potentially detect a lump months before it is felt, and if cancer is developing it should be caught early so that treatment of cancer can be more effective. A mammogram is done on ladies over the age of 40. If under the age of 40, then an ultrasound will be done,” she said.

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Benecke said those in need of assistance, are urged to contact her or the organisation.

“I am a phone call away. However, as a cancer survivor myself, I suggest that you follow the regular rule of doing one’s self-breast examinations every month,” she said.

Benecke can be contacted on 082 557 3079 or via email on janice@pinkdrive.org.

For more information, you can also visit the PinkDrive website, www.pinkdrive.co.za

Here is how to do a breast self-examination:
-Put one hand behind your head. Using the other hand, use three fingers and start from under your armpits, go in the form of a six in a circular movement around the breast until you get to the nipple.
-Then using four fingers (not the tips, the fingerprint) move in circular motions from your collarbone to under your breast and from side to side.
-When you have done one breast, repeat the steps on the other.

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