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The Cancer Association of South Africa No Images? Click here Early Detection to Advanced Breast CancerDONATE HEREBreast cancer is the leading cancer affecting women in South Africa. According to the National Cancer Registry, 1 in 27 women are at risk of being diagnosed in their lifetime. CANSA supports the National Department of Health’s efforts to prioritise awareness of breast cancer and to educate women with the knowledge of symptoms, screening opportunities and lowering cancer risk. CANSA furthermore turns the spotlight on the needs of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Awareness Breast CancerRisk Factors The risk for breast cancer increases as women grow older, but many women under the age of 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer. All women are at risk, and in particular women with a family history of breast cancer. Being overweight, inactive, consuming alcohol, poor dietary habits, smoking and exposure to chemicals also increases risk. Signs While not all breast lumps indicate cancer, they should be investigated, especially if accompanied by other changes in breasts or the under arm area, such as lumps, texture changes, thickening, dimpling, changes in shape or size of nipples or breasts, tenderness, discharge, rash or swelling, or one breast suddenly being slightly larger than the other. Screening Be aware of the signs of breast cancer (women with a family history of breast cancer should be especially aware of symptoms and not neglect screening)Know what is normal for your body by doing a monthly Breast Self-Examination (BSE) – watch our educational video on how to perform a BSE… Women who have no symptoms of breast cancer should request an annual Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) when visiting primary health care centres as it’s their right, as per the National Department of Health Breast Cancer Control Policy. CANSA also offers CBE’s at our CANSA Care Centres. From the 21st October to the 31st October, CANSA is offering free CBE’s at most CANSA Care Centres. Phone to make a booking.CANSA advocates a mammogram every year for all women from age 40 to 54 for purposes of non-symptomatic breast screening (women 55 years and older, should have a mammogram every two years – or if they choose, continue with an annual mammogram). Public Hospital Breast Clinics or the Radiological Society of SA (RSSA) can be contacted to arrange for a mammogram. In support of Breast Health Awareness Month (October 2019), participating breast imaging practices will be offering discounts for breast imaging to cash paying patients.Awareness Advanced Breast CancerWhat is it? The main reason that cancer is so serious is its ability to spread in the body. Cancer cells can spread locally by moving into nearby normal tissue. Cancer can also spread regionally, to nearby lymph nodes, tissues, or organs. And it can spread to distant parts of the body. When this happens, it is called metastatic cancer. For many types of cancer, it is also called stage IV (four) cancer. The process by which cancer cells spread to other parts of the body is called metastasis. (National Cancer Institute) Women and men may present with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with about 99% of cases being female. MBC may also be called advanced breast cancer or stage IV (stage 4) breast cancer. Metastasis tends to occur in the liver, lungs, bone, and brain, but can also occur in other organs or tissues. Amanda Scholtz Kriel, cancer Survivor and member of CANSA Survivors Champions of Hope Facebook Support group says, "I've been living with MBC for 3 years now. The only way to detect it is to keep on going for regular scans and blood tests. Mine metastasised to my brain, which they picked up because of serious ringing in my ear, and tumour removed in August. This year again because of a follow-up MRI. I've just completed Whole Brain Radiation. It's important not to avoid regular check-ups." "I have been living with MBC now for almost a year. I went for my check up and everything was clear, but then I started getting severe lower back pains and was diagnosed 2 months after my check-up. Listen to your body, go to the doctor if anything is out of the norm," adds Simoné Klopper Fourie, cancer Survivor, and member of CANSA Survivors Champions of Hope Facebook Support group. Can it be treated successfully? While MBC is treatable, there is no cure for this disease. The goal of treatment is to limit the progression of the disease, symptom control and pain management. Helga Torres: “With the first diagnosis, you think, ‘I just have to go through this really hard year or couple of years, whatever it takes, and we’re done.’ I remember it was really hard, I was sick, but you had a goal and then you would be fine. But with a metastatic diagnosis, I have a deadline now, I have an expiration date. This is terminal, it can’t be cured. And all these worries that come from it. Am I going to be very sick? Am I going to be in pain? How is this going to progress?” (Excerpt: Emotional Impact When Breast Cancer Returns: Helga Torres) "Having MBC means you have to get your affairs in order and make some hard decisions like going on disability which is a huge salary cut. I had to increase my medical plan. You have to adjust your budget and pray family and friends understand,” says Sandra Janeiro-Nienaber, cancer Survivor and member of the CANSA Survivors Champions of Hope Facebook Support group. Coping with diagnosis Dr Inge Kriel an oncology care physician practicing at Netcare Milpark Hospital says that learning that your cancer has spread can be devastating. She states, "This is an extremely challenging time and you’re likely to feel completely lost and at sea. You may wonder why this has happened to you and what you did wrong. Another worry, may be about how to break the news to your family and how to cope with their reactions. You may be overwhelmed with how to cope with the path ahead. The unknown is frightening and a source of distress." Dr Kriel provides tips to those coping with a diagnosis of metastatic cancer. Sally Roberts, MBC Survivor encourages women who are delivered a metastatic diagnosis to remain hopeful and to think outside the box. “It’s not that cut and dried,” she says of the statistics about Stage 4 disease that they might be handed. “Don’t read too much into it. It’s a very good guideline, but find a healthy dose of hope and a healthy dose of reality!” (Buddies for Life) What do patients experience? Patients with MBC may feel isolated and misunderstood regarding their condition. Challenges faced by these patients may include: Dealing with an incurable illnessThe metastasis of breast cancer to other parts of the body including the lungs, liver, bones and brainThe side effects of treatmentPain and sexual dysfunctionExperiences of social isolation, reduced self-worth, anxiety and depressionStigma related to MBC with the notion that the MBC sufferer is somehow responsible for the diagnosis and or has not taken adequate care of themselves.Patty Duiker, cancer Survivor diagnosed with MBC and member of CANSA Survivors Champions of Hope Facebook Support group shares, “It’s metastasised to my spine, ribs, body of the sternum, right side of the skull, shoulders and legs. It affects your life greatly. My spine is damaged, I'm a semi-invalid. I'm in constant pain. It's a struggle just to stay alive. So when I have a good painless day, I’m amazed at myself. Then I praise myself for making it. For not being a quitter. All I need is for people to stop telling me to be strong, because strong is all I know.” “You will experience extreme fatigue and need to listen to your body and rest. Your joints will pain, and muscles will cramp, so be gentle and patient with yourself and take it easy," adds Sandra Janeiro-Nienaber. Patients need personalised treatment, care and information Treatment in MBC is better if it is tailored to individual needs (personalized). For example, the needs of MBC survivors may be variable and influenced by age, ethnicity / cultural norms, education and health literacy. Access to mental health care has been identified as a need for MBC patients, as well as improvements in lifelong surveillance, tracking of patients and access to routine assessments including mammography, bone density scanning and gynaecological assessments. Patients are likely to desire information regarding: DiagnosisHow treatment worksSide effects treatment and management thereofRisk benefit profiles of new treatment modalities and their availabilityPrognosisPsycho-social complications (depression, anxiety, relationship issues)Information about late stages of the disease and associated risks, complications and specific palliative care treatments, side-effects, pain management and skin careCaregivers and loved ones need support Family, caregivers and healthcare professionals may also be impacted in caring for a patient with MBC and may be in need of education and support. Symptoms that the patient and family must be alerted about as these may require urgent attention to prevent further complications in MBC include: Signs of spinal cord compression - persistent neck or back pain or decreased power in legsSign of sepsis - feverSigns of possible lung metastasis - shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, dry coughSigns of brain metastasis - seizures, headaches, personality changes or confusionSigns of liver metastasis - nausea, jaundice,Signs of hypercalcemia – increased urination, excessive thirst, dehydration, vomiting and constipation. (Hypercalcaemia is a condition in which the calcium level in one’s blood is above normal. In MBC this may be due to bone metastasis)Education for patients and their family members or caregivers on palliation and end of life care is also needed. Referral to hospice or palliative care at the right timing may also positively influence the quality of end of life care with better psychosocial support for MBC patients that may help to ease the end of life care experience. How CANSA HelpsCANSA offers counselling and emotional support to cancer patients and families as well as medical equipment to assist with mobility difficulties such as wheelchairs and walkers or eggshell mattresses to help with lying down more comfortably through CANSA Care Centres countrywide. Our Facebook Support groups also offer patients and caregivers support. CANSA’s Care Rooms provide accommodation and care for terminal and bedridden cancer patients for pain control and alleviation of symptoms. Caregivers and family members are also able to take a break from the hard work of caring for a bedridden patient, called respite. Respite accommodation is available for a period of 14 days for terminal and /or bedridden patients. End of life accommodation is available for a period of up to six weeks. CANSA registered patients have priority access to services and are supported by CANSA volunteer services. BUY Smart Choice Products CANSA Care Centres BUY Products to Support CANSA DONATE HEREDONATE VIA SNAPSCAN How Your Donation Helps Fight Cancer Write on Our Wall26 Concorde Road West, Bedfordview, 2008, Johannesburg, Gauteng Like Tweet Forward Preferences | Unsubscribe |
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