#WomensHealth  #CANSAscreening
#BreastCancer  #CervicalCancer  #WomensMonth

A woman’s work is never done. She juggles multiple roles in and outside of the home and lockdown has only served to widen her amazing scope of abilities. Working from home, while teaching the kids, baking, mending the list goes on. Is there anything a woman can’t do successfully? Perhaps just one. Prioritise herself.

Women generally put others first. We want women to realise that they too have the right to prioritise their health. We know that we’re living in unprecedented times with COVID-19 taking centre stage in our lives, however the cancer risk does not go away due to the pandemic. Women still need to go for regular cancer screening as early detection saves lives, and get to know the early warning signs and symptoms of cancer so that they’re informed and can seek help if needed.

Women should take the time to do regular monthly breast self-examinations (BSE), as illustrated in our latest video and radio spots that challenge women to get educated and learn how to do those breast self-examinations and arrange for a Pap smear to detect cervical cancer.

But what about risk of infection due to COVID-19?

Some women, especially older women or those with underlying conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes may be reluctant to get screening as they’re more at risk due to COVID-19. However, appointments for clinical breast examinations and Pap smears can be made at CANSA Care Centres at an affordable rate, with no need for crowding and with strict protective measures in place against the spread of COVID-19.

The Public Healthcare Sector

Women are entitled to an annual clinical breast examination when visiting primary health care centres (according to the National Department of Health’s Breast Cancer Control Policy) and mammograms are available at the following public hospitals. They are also entitled to three free Pap smears per lifetime if asymptomatic, starting at the age of 30 years or older, with a 10 year interval between each smear. Those who are HIV positive should be screened for cervical cancer at diagnosis and subsequently every three years if the screening test is negative and at yearly intervals if the screening test is positive.

Reality Check

COVID-19 may be centre stage now, but cancer has never gone away. Neither has individual cancer risk.

Breast and cervical cancers are the leading cause of death among South African women with breast being the most diagnosed cancer, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 25, according to the 2016 National Cancer Registry (NCR). Cervical cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed (excluding basal cell carcinoma) amongst women. The estimated life-time risk among all women in South Africa is 1:35 (National Cancer Registry 2016).

Educate Yourself

Read more about the symptoms of breast and cervical cancer on the CANSA Website.

Lower Cancer Risk

Adopt lifestyle behaviours that can help lower risk for breast and cervical cancers by:

• being physically active,
• maintaining a healthy weight,
• avoiding alcohol and tobacco,
• eating balanced meals,
• avoiding sexual activity at an early age and engaging in sexual activities with different partners or risky sexual behaviour, which increases the chances of getting HPV,
• avoiding exposure to known cancer causing agents

Take Action

Take the time: Get to know your body by doing a monthly breast self-examination – report any abnormities to your healthcare practitioner immediately.

Take the time: Get an annual check-up - make an appointment at your local CANSA Care Centre or visit your local public healthcare facility for a clinical breast examination and Pap smear.

Take the time: It could save your life!

YOU matter – put your health first!