Invest in your health - Detect women's cancers early
2009-08-31 CANSA > News > Focus of the Month
CANSA Women's Health Campaign
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.
“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).
- To find out more about breast cancer click here
- Tips for having a mamogram click here
- Beulah Jankelowitz was a young mother of 3 children when she was diagnosed with breast cancer - read Beulah's story of hope
- Read popular actress, Lillian Dube's story of hope
- Read CANSA's position statement on breast cancer
- Breaking the news about 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.
- To find out more about cervical cancer please click here
- Read CANSA's position statement on cervical cancer
OVARIAN CANCER
One 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.
- To find out more about ovarian cancer please click here
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.
- Read CANSA's lymphoedema fact sheet
- Click here to download the leaflet 'All You Need to Know About Lymphoedema'
- Read more on CANSA's Lymphoedema Programme
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:- Eating a low fat diet full of wholegrain products, fresh fruit and vegetables - How to eat wisely
- Exercising regularly – Be wise - exercise
- Not smoking tobacco, waterpipes or using other tobacco products such as snuff - Stop smoking - feel good
- Avoiding hormone therapy
- Using condoms to help prevent sexually transmitted infections such as human papilloma virus (HPV) which is a high risk factor for cervical cancer
- Consulting your healthcare professional on the HPV vaccine.
- Consulting your healthcare professional for advice on appropriate screening tests if you have a family history of cancer.
- Read CANSA's leaflet 'Invest in your health - Detect women's cancer early': Afrikaans | English| Sesotho | Xhosa | Zulu
- Get to know the early warning signs and beat breast cancer... click here
- Remember - for detailed personal advice on cancer and cancer screening tests, please consult your doctor.
Make a difference in the lives of women - support CANSA and spread awareness regarding female cancers:
- Great gift 'Sister Warriors' tea table book - sales got towards CANSA's Lymphoedema Programme read more
- 'Take my hand' is a music experience delivering a message of hope, faith and love. The CD includes the CANSA theme song 'Take My Hand' This CD will soon be available at CANSA offices read more
- CANSA fund many promising cancer research projects in South Africa, including some specific to female cancers - to find out more click here
Make a secure online donation to CANSA’s prevention and research projects and make a difference today
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For more information contact CANSA toll-free on 0800 22 66 22 or email info@cansa.org.za.
Published in: CANSA > News > Focus of the Month
