Cansa has launched a Dry & Detect Towel initiative to promote breast health awareness by encouraging women to perform regular self-examinations.

A major retailer donated close to half a million towels to Cansa centres across the country to help remind women to perform these vital tests. Every towel has a tag with instructions on how to perform self-examinations and a QR code that connects to an instructional website with further resources.

“PEP approached us and decided they wanted to be part of the fight against cancer and they donated 400,000 towels to us,” said Cansa spokesperson Lucy Balona.

“They donated these towels to us so that we can use them at our Cansa care centres, when somebody comes for a screening or whenever we have events or go out into the community. So it is about keeping breasts self-exams top of mind when your tops are off.”

The towels are a reminder that early detection of breast cancer can significantly improve the survival rates if you find something that is not normal in your breasts and go to get it checked out research has revealed that doctors have an opportunity to treat it quicker, she said.

The QR code that leads to the website on the towels. Photo supplied

Signs to look out for in your breasts:

• swelling of all or part of the breast;
• skin irritation, dimpling or ridges on the skin;
• nipple pain or the nipple turning inward;
• redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin;
• a nipple discharges other than breast milk; or
• a lump or knot near the underarm area.

The different stages of breast cancer. Photo: healthywomen.org

Approximately 19.4 million SA women aged 15 years and older live at risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, all women are at risk especially those with a family history of breast cancer, according to the Cansa.

“If there’s any anxiety about breast exams, people can visit the care centres we have everywhere to consult and we also have what we call cancer tele-counselling line, where we offer free counselling to anyone in seven languages. 

“Being diagnosed with cancer doesn’t necessarily mean a death sentence, you are not alone, Cansa is here to support you and we have many support groups and a team of volunteers who are willing to work alongside our staff.”

Cansa also has a lot of events where survivors give support to each other, she said.

Cansa is looking for volunteers. Visit their website and sign up to be a volunteer.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame cg