Invest in your health - Detect women's cancers early

2009-08-31 CANSA > News > Focus of the Month

CANSA Women's Health CampaignBreast Cancer

Women lead busy and demanding lives - often putting others’ needs before their own. CANSA is encouraging all women to invest in their health by learning how to detect women’s cancers early, as part of its women’s health campaign for September and October.

“Cancer is one of the most serious diseases women face. We want all women to care for themselves and, by breast self-examination (BSE) and screening tests, help detect female cancers early, when treatment is more effective” said Sue Janse van Rensburg, CEO of CANSA. “Being proactive against cancer is the greatest gift women can give themselves and their families”.

 

 

The First Lady, Mrs Tobeka Madiba-Zuma supports CANSA's successful Women's Morning Tea, read more...

BREAST CANCER

One in 29 women in South Africa will be diagnosed with breast cancer; the good news is if it’s detected early there is an excellent chance of recovery. That is why every woman needs to examine her breasts and underarms regularly every month, to check for any changes such as a difference in size, lumps, unusual swellings, puckering of the skin, sores, pain or discharge. If you have these symptoms go to a health professional without delay. Many breast lumps are harmless but they all must be checked. If you are over 40, ask your doctor how often to go for a mammogram (a special x-ray to detect lumps in the breast).

Breast Cancer

CERVICAL CANCER

One in 35 women in South Africa will be diagnosed with cervical cancer; the good news is having regular Pap smears can detect abnormal cells in the cervix (mouth of the womb) that could develop into cervical cancer. A Pap smear is a painless procedure that removes a sample of cells from the cervix, the sample is sent to a laboratory for testing. If abnormal cells are found they can be removed from the cervix  to prevent cancer from developing. CANSA encourages all sexually active women to go for regular Pap smears to detect any abnormal cells early.
Symptoms of cervical cancer at a later stage include bleeding between monthly periods, unusually heavy periods, pain during intercourse or after a pelvic examination or bleeding after menopause. If you have these symptoms, consult a health professional.

OVARIAN CANCER

Ovarian Cancer

On in 297 women in South Africa will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The ovaries produce eggs (called ova). Finding the cancer early improves the chances that it can be treated successfully. Regular pelvic examinations are important but ovarian tumours may be hard to find early because the ovaries are deep within the body and not easily felt. Symptoms of ovarian cancer include swelling, bloated stomach, pelvic pressure or pain, having to urinate often, have trouble eating or feeling full quickly. Most of these symptoms can be caused by other, less serious problems, but if you have any of these symptoms for more than a few weeks, consult a health professional.

LYMPHOEDEMA

Lymphoedema is a challenging complication of cancer surgery or radiation therapy and is called secondary lymphoedema (lymphoedema occurring at birth due to dysphasia is called primary oedema). It is a common side effect of treatment for women's cancers. It is the accumulation of fluid due to inactive or damaged lymph glands. It causes swelling of a body part and usually occurs in the arms or legs but can also occur in the face, neck, abdomen or genitals.

Reduce your risk of cancer 

In addition to recommended screening examinations and tests, CANSA encourages women to look after their health to reduce the risk of female cancers by:

 

Make a difference in the lives of women - support CANSA and spread awareness of female cancers

Published in: CANSA > News > Focus of the Month