Breast cancer awareness

MOKOPANE – Breast cancer is a common and deadly disease among women but millions of them are surviving thanks to an early detection and improvement in treatment, said Women and Cancer Society chairperson Kagiso Mukhondo-Botha during breast cancer campaign recently.

“This society is actively fighting breast cancer by helping women get tested and helping them (women) understand their treatment options and cope with physical and emotional side effects. We also fund research to help prevent, find and treat breast cancer”, says Mukhondo-Botha.

Statistics show one in eight women will be diagnosed in her lifetime and it’s the most common cancer found in women across the world. According to Mukhondo-Botha, every year, more than 4,000 women die from breast cancer in the country. South Africa has about more than 50,000 survivors according to a research report funded by Women and Cancer Society,

October is a breast cancer awareness month. “This National Breast Cancer Awareness Month we are making a difference by using this opportunity to spreading the word about mammograms and encourage communities, organisation, families and individuals to get involved”, says Women and Cancer Society specialist Ntokozo Mdladlani.

A mammogram is the screening test for breast cancer and can help to find breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat.

“We ask doctors and nurses to speak about the importance of getting screened. We encourage women ages 40 to 49 to talk with their doctors about to start mammograms and we organise seminars to chat with women in urban communities about getting mammograms every two years”, Mdladlani continued.