No images? Click here
Make Self-Care a Priority
#CANSAWomensHealth #BreastCancerAwareness #WomensHealth
Women wear so many different hats and are often looking after others’ well-being. It’s important for women to look after themselves too. Regular self-care results in a healthier, happier you and increases your resilience to cope with life’s challenges too. There are many forms of self-care, but did you realise that looking after your personal health is also an expression of self-care?
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we invite women to take ownership of their personal health by finding out more about it and how to lower their cancer risk, and detect breast cancer early.
Alert:
- With 1.7 million women diagnosed each year, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide.
- In South Africa, according to the National Cancer Registry (2017), one in 26 women are at risk of developing breast cancer.
- 16% of cancer deaths in SA are attributed to breast cancer.
- There is growing concern that most women present with late-stage cancer, which makes for a difficult prognosis. Early-stage diagnosis results in more effective breast cancer treatment and improves chances of survival.
In her CANSA funded research study – Pathways to Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Care – Professor Jennifer Moodley, Director Cancer Research Initiative at the Faculty of Health Sciences – University of Cape Town (UCT) – says, “Studies have shown that time to a cancer diagnosis may be influenced by several factors including women’s knowledge and awareness of cancer symptoms, whether women see themselves as being at risk for breast cancer, barriers in the health system, knowledge and attitude of health providers, and psychological, and socio-cultural barriers to health care”.
Women's Health Infographics
Practice Self-Care:
- Get to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer
- Be aware of any changes or irregularities to breasts, by doing a monthly breast self-examination
- Go for regular breast cancer screening
- Report symptoms or irregularities / changes to a health professional immediately
Slideshow
How CANSA Can Help:
CANSA offers clinical breast examinations (to detect breast lumps) at CANSA Care Centres with strict safety protocols in place to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Costs are kept to a minimum. Patients with medical aid benefits can claim from their medical aids once they have paid for the screening.
And we offer a variety of breast prostheses at affordable rates for those who had to undergo a mastectomy / lumpectomy and offer advice to help cope with the side effects of cancer treatment.
Further support includes: support groups, online support resources, tele counselling and CANSA also supplies wigs and headwear, bras, and lymphoedema garments (in partnership with The M Store) at CANSA Care Centres.
We also have a specialised online support programme called iSurvivor Metastatic Breast Cancer, which is aimed at assisting and helping metastatic breast cancer patients with their experienced challenges.
October Fun
The Bright Side
The moving Irish film The Bright Side, about a stand-up comedian diagnosed with breast cancer, will be screened online and free at the European Film Festival from 14 to 24 October 2021. In partnership with CANSA, the festival will also host a free online discussion event on 19 October 2021. A special discussion with local warrior woman Anthea-Lynn Lewis entitled The Bright Side – Surviving the Journey will be included. Anthea is a three-time breast cancer survivor and Global Hero of Hope now working with children and teenagers as a CANSA TLC (Tough Living with Cancer) coordinator. Anthea notes: “I am all about celebrating life, and living each day to the fullest. I am all about spreading Hope.”
Pink Trees for Pauline
The Pink Trees for Pauline Campaign is running until the end of October. Embrace #doekwithadifference or wrap trees in your community in pink fabric. This year, you can purchase a pair of fabulous earrings. All to help fund CANSA’s care and support programmes for cancer patients and loved ones. Contact your local CANSA Care Centre to place your order….
Virtual CANSA SPAR Tea Cuppa For CANSA Events
Virtual CANSA SPAR Tea Cuppa For CANSA Events - as part of special celebrations for its 90th Anniversary, CANSA is hosting four CANSA SPAR Tea Cuppa For CANSA, events in Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Durban, and Paarl on 30 of October 2021 in a virtual format. The events aim to bring awareness to CANSA’s on-going fight against cancer as well as raise funds towards their care and support programmes for those affected by cancer. Despite COVID-19’s continued impact, the annual CANSA tea remains one of the highlights on our calendar. In collaboration with event partner, SPAR, it promises to continue the excitement, with a competition, prizes, goody bags and a special livestreamed broadcast with entertainment. What is special, is that anyone, no matter where you live, can take part by hosting an event in the comfort of your home or venue of choice. The theme for this year is ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ and even though the events take place virtually, they will still follow the original approach that they have done in previous years. Become a hostess!
Help Fund Women’s Health Awareness Campaign
The following partners have committed to giving a portion of the proceeds from their sales to CANSA during October 2021 – by supporting them, you’ll be supporting our efforts to educate more women about breast cancer and other cancers affecting women.
Stern Laser (Pty) Ltd – distributor of iS Clinical skincare brand, will be be giving R500 per Pure Wellness Kit sold to CANSA. The Pure Wellness Kit provides the opportunity for cancer patients / Survivors to make use of suitable skincare products during or after treatment. Read more…
The “Be with You” pendants can be given to a loved one going through cancer treatment, by a husband or wife, or family to grandparents, or a friend to a friend or partner to partner, so that they know you are thinking of them. Due to COVID, loved ones often aren’t able to be with cancer patients when they need it most, and this pendant is a tangible reminder that you are there in heart and mind. You’ll also be supporting CANSA and the services they provide to patients, as a percentage from the sale of each pendant will be given to CANSA. Read more…
Made from safety coated silicone, Milady’s natural-feel breast form cups help to restore your breast silhouette after mastectomy. To be used as a prosthesis 6+ weeks post-surgery. Our high-quality silicone, BPA-free forms are expertly designed to look and feel like a breast. R50 from each sale goes to CANSA. Read more…
R1-00 from the sale of CANSA affiliated gifts will be donated to CANSA, during October 2021, in support of CANSA’s Women’s Health campaign. Products are beautifully packaged, and perfect for gifting loved ones, friends and colleagues, or for spoiling yourself. Read more…
Hero SA is committed to making a difference in creating awareness around cancer and early detection, and offers a product that every household needs. If each family could buy Hero SA Mega Saver Drawstring Refuse Bags, they could help raise awareness of cancer and provide support to loved ones and cancer patients, as CANSA will receive 10c per bag sold. Read more…
Monarch & Rose are giving a percentage from the sale of their PINK catalogue combo gifts to CANSA in support of the Women's Health Campaign in October. Read more...
Thank You
In celebration of CANSA’s 90th birthday, Novartis generously offered a total of 360 free Clinical Breast Examinations from 27 September to 8 October at selected CANSA Care Centres in Kimberley, Cape Town, Richards Bay, Durban, Pretoria, Rustenburg, Bedfordview, Gqeberha (PE) and Bloemfontein. Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 16th Annual Avon Justine iThemba Walkathon on Sunday, 3 October 2021. The 2021 edition of Avon Justine iThemba Walkathon was hosted virtually for the second year in a row and the proceeds generated from the hosting the event, will be donated to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that work with breast cancer survivors, which also includes CANSA.
Over to You
Book a clinical breast screening with CANSA today, and encourage family and friends to do the same, donate via CANSA’s secure, online platforms and subscribe to the enewsletter to stay informed about our various health campaigns and fundraising initiatives.
Take Care!
