The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) encourages all women to invest in their health by learning how to detect women’s cancers early. Stop cancer now!!
“Cancer is one of the most serious diseases women face. We want all women to care for themselves and by breast self-examination (BSE) and screening tests, help to detect female cancers early, when treatment is more effective,” said Sue Janse van Rensburg, CEO of CANSA and cancer survivor of more than 25 years. “Being proactive against cancer is the greatest gift women can give themselves and their families.”
Pictures: Sharks go pink for CANSA
Women24 encourages an easy, 10-minute self-exam once a month to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. According to CANSA.org, one in 29 women in South Africa will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The good news, however, is that if it’s detected early, there is an excellent chance of recovery.
This October, being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we urge all women to get into the habit of checking their breasts regularly, a week after your period, for any changes, lumps, pain, swelling, sores, discharge or any other unusual symptoms.
How to perform a self-check:
• In front of a mirror, check for any changes in the normal look and feel of your breasts, such as dimpling, size difference or nipple discharge. Inspect four ways: arms at sides, arms overhead, firmly pressing arms on hips and bending forward.
• While showering raise your right arm and check your right breast with a soapy left hand and fingers flat using the method below. Repeat on the other side.
• Lying down on your back with a pillow under your right shoulder and your right hand under your head, use your left hand to check your right breast using the method below.
• Repeat on the other side.
How to check your breasts:
• With the three middle fingers of your left hand make small circular motions, following an up and down pattern over the entire breast area, under the arms and up to the shoulder bone, pressing firmly.
• Repeat using your right hand on your left breast.
Courtesy Women24: Edited by Meagan Karstens
More info on cancer in women (courtesy CANSA).
Cervical Cancer:
One in 35 women in South Africa will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. The good news is having regular Pap smears can detect abnormal cells in the cervix (mouth of the womb), that could develop into cervical cancer. A Pap smear is a painless procedure that removes a sample of cells from the cervix, the sample is sent to a laboratory for testing.
If abnormal cells are found they can be removed from the cervix to prevent cancer from developing. CANSA encourages all sexually active women to go for regular Pap smears to detect any abnormal cells early.
Symptoms of cervical cancer at a later stage include: bleeding between monthly periods | unusually heavy periods | pain during intercourse | pain after a pelvic examination | bleeding after menopause.
If you have these symptoms, consult a health professional without delay.
Ovarian Cancer:
One in 297 women in South Africa will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The ovaries produce eggs (called ova). Finding the cancer early improves the chances that it can be treated successfully. Regular pelvic examinations are important but ovarian tumours may be hard to find early because the ovaries are deep within the body and not easily felt.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer include: swelling | bloated stomach | pelvic pressure or pain | having to urinate often | having trouble eating | feeling full quickly.
Most of these symptoms can be caused by other, less serious problems, but if you have any of these symptoms for more than a few weeks, consult a health professional.
Lymphoedema (side effect of cancer treatment):
Lymphoedema is a challenging complication of cancer surgery or radiation therapy and is called secondary lymphoedema (lymphoedema occurring at birth due to dysphasia is called primary oedema). It is a common side effect of treatment for women’s cancers. It is the accumulation of fluid due to inactive or damaged lymph glands.
Lymphoedema causes: Swelling of a body part and usually occurs in the arms or legs, but can also occur in the face, neck, abdomen or genitals.
How women can lower their general cancer risk:
CANSA fights cancer by making you aware of the importance of early detection of cancer. This enables more effective treatment and a better chance of recovery. CANSA’s Health Promotion Programme emphasises a healthy balanced lifestyle, no tobacco use, being sun smart, preventative screening and avoiding known cancer-causing factors.
CANSA also encourages women to reduce the risk of female cancers by: Avoiding hormone therapy | using condoms to help prevent sexually transmitted infections such as the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is a high risk factor for cervical cancer | consulting a healthcare professional on the HPV vaccine | consulting a healthcare professional for advice on appropriate screening tests if there is a family history of cancer.