Apart from nonmelanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women of all races, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 27 in South Africa. This is according to the 2019 National Cancer Registry (NCR), claims the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).
Focusing on breast cancer within Newcastle, Dr Azizi Mkhize from Van Veijeren and Partners explained that women are not going for screening as they should, waiting until there are complications.
“Some people are not aware of the importance of going for screening, while some don’t think it is that serious of a disease, and there are some women who don’t think it will happen to them,” said Dr Mkhize.
Highlighting the criticality of early detection, Dr Mkhize stressed that breast cancer can manifest as a silent threat, often devoid of visible symptoms or pain.
“Many times, women find a lump by coincidence, either in the bath or when their partners feel a lump. It is because of this, that we are encouraging local GPs to teach women how to check their breasts so that the necessary steps can be taken,” Dr Mkhize pointed out.
In the view of the medical community, regular breast examinations are pivotal, with Dr Mkhize advising women to perform self examinations at least once a month. This routine practice allows women to identify any abnormal lumps or changes in their breasts.
While the thought of finding a lump in a woman’s breasts can be frightening, Dr Mkhize highlighted that lumps do not always signify breast cancer. “A lump can be a number of things, such a cist, cancer or a fibroadenoma, which is a noncancerous breast tumour that is a solid, not fluid-filled, lump,” elaborated Dr Mkhize.
By going for screening once a lump is found, Dr Mkhize noted that it can be established if it was cancer or a nonlife threatening lump. She added that biopsies are also done alongside the screening to take an in depth look at the lump.
Discussing risk factors, she further outlined notable contributors to breast cancer, which are as follows:
- BRCA gene: Most inherited cases of breast cancer are associated with mutations in two genes: BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene one) and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene two). Everyone has BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The function of the BRCA genes is to repair cell damage and keep breast, ovarian, and other cells growing normally. But when these genes contain mutations that are passed from generation to generation, the genes don’t function normally and breast, ovarian, and other cancer risk increases. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations may account for up to 10% of all breast cancers, or 1 out of every 10 cases. (This information is provided by Breastcancer.org.)
- A family history of cancer.
- Women who start their periods early and enter menopause late in life. Dr Mkhize said this is due to longer periods of oestrogen.
Looking ahead, Dr Mkhize explained the subsequent steps post diagnosis, involving tailored treatment plans designed by a multidisciplinary team.
Treatment may encompass chemotherapy, surgery, or a combination of both, necessitating a comprehensive approach.
Taking this all into consideration, what happens when you find out that you have breast cancer?
Dr Mkhize explained that the steps after being diagnosed include establishing the type of treatment you will require. This plan of action will require a multidisciplinary team including an oncologist, surgeon, pathologist and radiologist to lay out the best form of treatment which will entail either just chemotherapy, just surgery or both chemotherapy and surgery.
It is important to note, that while undergoing treatment, Dr Mkhize stressed that a healthy diet was essential.
In support of the above, Newcastle is fortified with the Lorraine Homann Woman’s Wellness Centre at Mediclinic Newcastle, which was established on 24 May 2023.
Equipped with cutting edge facilities, the centre offers formidable support in the battle against breast cancer, featuring a dedicated multidisciplinary team committed to women’s healing. It also allows Newcastle women to receive treatment in Newcastle and not have to travel far distances.
To read more about the Lorraine Homann Woman’s Wellness Centre, click here.
Prominent figures within the medical community, including the team from Davida van der Merwe Optometrist, are actively advocating for heightened awareness of breast cancer.
As a result, they engaged in community outreach, enlightening the public about the disease’s impacts on eyesight and the necessity of regular eye checks during and before treatment.
Encouraging women to perform self examinations and go for mammograms, while using the local medical sector for treatment, the Davida van der Merwe Optometrist team recently hit the streets to raise awareness about breast cancer.
Standing out at the intersection of Gemsbok Avenue and Victoria Road, the team handed out cookies to passing motorists, the team educated Newcastillians on how breast cancer affected their eyesight.
The popular optometrist, Davida van der Merwe highlighted the following ways the disease impacted one’s eyesight:
- Breast cancer can spread to other parts of the body (known as metastatic tumours). Metastatic tumours are the most common type of eye cancer.
- Breast cancer treatments can give ocular (eye) side effects, such as watery or dry eyes, loss of eyelashes and blurred vision to name a few.
With this in mind, van der Merwe said, “Be sure to have your eyes checked before you start treatment and even during treatment.”
With breast cancer impacting scores of women, the South African Government has also urged women to safeguard their health by undertaking self examinations and going for regular mammograms. “Early detection of the condition can lead to effective treatment and a positive prognosis. About 90% of patients survive for many years after diagnosis when breast cancer is detected at the early stages,” said the Government in a statement.
We invite you to share your thoughts and opinions on this pressing issue in the comments section below, fostering a dialogue for greater awareness and understanding.
