By OBAKENG MAJE
A local author and social activist, Nana Shuping encouraged women to go and test for breast cancer. Shuping, who organised the Breast Cancer and Mental Awareness Fun Walk, said the disease is more prevalent.
The Breast Cancer Awareness Fun Walk commenced from Taung Depot to Mmabana Taung on 23 October 2021.
“I came up with this initiative in 2019, but unfortunately we could not continue with it because of COVID-19 pandemic. I met with Tumisang Keokame from Nature’s Lab and we organised this event just to bring awareness.
“Many households are affected by cancer and I have also lost loved ones due to cancer. I have also realised that many people do not undergo testing and sometimes they find out while it is already late that they are diagnosed with cancer,” she said.
Shuping further said the early detection reduces cancer fatalities.
“I have a friend who unfortunately had her breast removed due to cancer. She always encourages us to undergo testing and not to take it lightly. There are so many challenges women go through including abuse.
“I have also written a book titled: Misunderstood as I was also raped by a friend’s uncle at the age of 10. I experienced abuse during my marriage, so women go through a lot. My book will be launched on 11 December 2021,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Breast Health Foundation navigator, Ouma Mamatela shared the same sentiments. Mamatela calls on the government to work together with NGOs as many women especially from rural areas could not access medical attention on time.
“I’ll say we are doing our best, but mainly the patients who are doing radiation were battling for three months because the machine sets at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg were broken.
“I think the government should be in negotiations with NGOs because if you are speaking to the NGOs, you are speaking to the patients themselves. The NGOs will be able to provide information on how patients are struggling to get the treatment,” she said.
Mamatela further said there is no definite symptom which means that you definitely have breast cancer. She added that most of the symptoms which are related to breast cancer are also present with non-cancer problems, so it is important not to panic if you develop a problem but to ensure you get it checked out.
“Most Breast Cancer presents as a lump in the breast. Often women are surprised by the unexpected appearance of a lump and are unsure whether to get it investigated. No matter how sudden or how the lump feels, it is very important to see your doctor.
“Cancer lumps often feel hard and craggy and grow steadily in the breast. Eventually the cancer will spread to the lymph glands causing hard lumps to be felt under the arm too. Approximately 10% of breast cancers present without a lump, and in fact when you do feel a lump in your breast, around 80-85% of those are benign,” said Mamatela.
She said most lumps felt in the breast are not cancers but might be cysts or masses known as fibroadenomas. Mamatela said no matter how sudden or how the lump feels, it is very important to see your doctor.
The Guardian 