Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Here’s to the fighters among us. Here’s to the survivors, the victims, the ones who’ve lost someone and the ones’ who struggle today. Here’s to the bravest women on the planet. Here’s to those strong individuals who inspire us with their bravery. Here’s to those who keep going even in the face of adversity. Here’s to the true heroes. Here’s to everyone who has suffered the effects of Breast Cancer. Here’s the people who make us believe.

The reality of Breast Cancer in our society is an inescapable truth. An estimated one in 31 South African women fall victim to this disease, with it being the most common form of cancer in the country. The harsh reality is that with increased exposure to radiation, unknown chemicals in our food and a rapidly deteriorating quality of air, society in general is more susceptible to cancer now than ever before. It’s a disease that has devastated lives, torn families apart and shattered futures- and the treatment is as destructive as the sickness itself. Yet, despite this, there are brave women everywhere who continue to fight and overcome this obstacle.

The more positive reality is that as hard as it may be to pinpoint its causes and resolution, when detected early there is an incredible 95% chance of recovery. Breast Cancer, whilst increasingly prevalent, still leaves its victims with the opportunity to live normal and healthy lives- but only if not allowed to fester. The key here is to detect it early. As the saying goes: prevention is better than cure. And, as hard as it may be to avoid, it’s as easy to detect. Here are some vitally important tips that you NEED to know to remain aware and stay healthy for as long as possible:

Be regular. The more familiar you are with your body and how things should feel, the easier it becomes to detect an anomaly. By developing a habit of checking for lumps you can notice anything out of place as soon as it develops. Hopefully this will allow you to identify and in turn eradicate any issues in their infancy stages.

Don’t freak out; but consult a professional. Most lumps are benign and could pose no risk. Just because something feels out of place does not mean you have cancer. Should you detect anything untoward there’s still no need to panic- just consult your doctor and put your mind at ease.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that a homograph picks up everything. There is at least 10% of cancer that gets overlooked, meaning you still need to check for yourself to be twice as sure. Get any lumps evaluated just to be safe.

We know that life can be busy and that these can sound like overly precautions interruptions to your day. However, Breast Cancer is a harsh reality that many of us will either face or feel the effects of in our lifetime. In honour of this month, we should do our part to promote awareness and stay informed.

Once again, we’d like to take a minute to acknowledge those brave souls who have stared adversity in the face and challenged it head on. Your bravery astounds us, your courage inspires us, and your tenacity is truly spectacular.