With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, women are encouraged to take care of themselves by being aware of the signs of cancer and going for screening.
Gerda Strauss, head of CANSA says, “We want women to realise that they have the right to prioritise their health. We’re living in unprecedented times with Covid-19 taking centre stage in our lives, but the cancer risk does not go away, and women still need to go for regular cancer screening as early detection saves lives..”
According to Gerda, 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. But appointments for clinical breast examinations and pap smears can be made at CANSA Care Centres across the country at an affordable rate, with no need for crowding and with strict protective measures in place against the spread of Covid.
Women are entitled to an annual clinical breast examination when visiting primary health care centres – and three free pap smears per lifetime, starting at the age of 30 years (or older) with a 10-year interval between each. 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.
“We encourage women to familiarise themselves with the risk factors and symptoms of early stage cervical changes. Cervical cancer can be effectively treated if detected and diagnosed early. Also, 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 sexually activity at an early age and engaging in sexual activities with different partners or risky sexual behaviour, which increases the chances of getting HPV.”
SIMPLE LIFESTYLE CHANGES CAN REDUCE YOUR RISK:
Don’t smoke: Using any type of tobacco puts you on a collision course with cancer. Even if you don’t use tobacco, exposure to second hand smoke might increase your risk of lung cancer. If you need help with quitting smoking, ask your doctor about stop-smoking products and other strategies for quitting.
Adopt a healthy diet: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Base your diet on fruits, vegetables and other foods from plant sources, such as whole grains and beans. Use olive oil over butter and fish instead of red meat. Eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-calorie foods, including refined sugars and fat from animal sources. Drink alcohol in moderation. Limit processed meats.
Keep a healthy weight and exercise: Maintaining a healthy weight might lower the risk of various types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney. Physical activity counts, too. In addition to helping you control your weight, physical activity on its own might lower the risk of breast cancer and colon cancer. For substantial health benefits, strive to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity. You can also do a combination of both. As a general goal, include at least 30 minutes of physical activity in your daily routine – and if you can do more, even better.
Protect yourself from the sun: Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer – and one of the most preventable. Stay out of the sun between 10am and 4pm when the sun’s rays are strongest. When you’re outdoors, stay in the shade as much as possible. Sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat help too. Don’t skimp on sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or sweating. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. These are just as damaging as natural sunlight.
Get regular medical care: Regular self-exams and screenings for various types of cancers – such as cancer of the skin, colon, cervix and breast – can increase your chances of discovering cancer early, when treatment is most likely to be successful.
Details: www.cansa.org.za, CANSA (toll-free): 0800 22 6622, [email protected].
