Painting the town pink for breast cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink is everywhere. You will especially see it in the halls of the radiology department at Netcare Alberlito Hospital which are once again lined with all things pink for the month of October.

Commemorated annually, the staff from the x-ray department rally during this time to show their solidarity and support to raise funds and awareness in this critical fight.

Their message is to urge women to go for regular mammograms, particularly in women over the age of 40 or if there is a family history of breast cancer.

Sweet treats, pink bracelets and homemade baked goods were also sold at their stand at Ballito LifeStyle Centre on Saturday to raise money for their annual fundraiser, which is in its fifth year.

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Profits from the fundraising are donated to a local charity.

The message is clear – statistics from the Cancer Association of South Africa [CANSA] indicate that one in 28 women in South Africa will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. It is therefore imperative that women are well informed of the causes, prevention, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

Early detection is critical for a positive prognosis for those affected as up to 90 percent of patients survive for many years after diagnosis when breast cancer is detected in the early stages. Regular self-breast examination is a must for early detection. A regular mammogram is also encouraged.

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