Next month is breast cancer awareness month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among South African women.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet could be a key to preventing cancer.High fat diets, alcohol and smoking are factors that can increase the chances of getting cancer.

Some warning signs you can look out for are: swelling of all parts of the breast, skin irritation or dimpling, breast pain, nipple pain or nipple turning inward, Redness or thickening of the breast skin, a nipple discharge other than breast milk, a lump in the underarm area .

Rona Ladushagne, community mobilizer service delivery nurse from Cancer Association in South Africa (CANSA) in Mbombela, says women must examine their breast every month and it should be taken serious.

“Those who do not know how to examine their breast can make an appointment at the clinic and we will help them since it is important that breast cancer is detected early,”said Ladushagne.

Steps of breast self examination you can do at home. Begin by looking at your breast in the mirror, with your shoulder straight and your arms on your hips. Check if your breast is its usual size, shape and colour.

If you see any of the following changes inform your doctor immediately: puckering, or bulging of the skin. A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out), redness, soreness, rash, or swelling.

Secondly, raise your arms and look for the same changes.Thirdly while you are at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (it could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).

The forth thing would be to feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. 

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.
Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast.

Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery. 

“Breast cancer is not a death sentence. Ifit is detected early enough, it can be treated and cured,” Labushagne added.

“Transfers of patients to the clinic has increased, comparing to last year. The number of young people referred to us is increasing in the past breast cancer was associated with older women.”