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Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital to host free breast cancer talk

Speaker will focus on the efficacy of breast cancer awareness drives in South Africa

Wednesday, October 23 2013

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women in South Africa, with 1 in 27 females in our country being diagnosed with this disease in their lifetime. Early detection is key in increasing a woman’s chance of recovery, but is enough being done in our country to increase awareness of the warning signs of this life-threatening cancer among all socio-economic groups?

This is one of the issues which will be addressed in a talk by Dr Jenny Edge entitled, “Is pink awareness enough to improve breast care in South Africa?” The talk is part of Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital’s Breast Cancer Awareness Day this Friday, 25 October, held in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Dr Edge is a general surgeon who specialises in breast conditions and breast surgery.
 
“In my talk I will suggest how pink awareness drives in South Africa can be expanded to include women from all walks of life and how we can ensure that healthcare professionals around South Africa are properly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, whether it be in urban or rural areas and public or private healthcare settings,” explains Dr Edge.
 
The event will be attended by, among others, representatives from non-profit organisations like Reach for Recovery. “I hope that it will be an interactive discussion on how we can most effectively reach all women in our country to encourage self examination, early detection and sound clinical treatment,” Dr Edge indicates.
 
Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital’s Breast Cancer Awareness Day will run from 11 am to 2 pm at the hospital’s auditorium. Dr Edge’s hour-long talk will begin at 12.30 pm. Healthcare professionals involved in all aspects of the disease, from radiologists, oncologists and makers of prosthetic breasts, will also have exhibitions at the event.
 
The Reach for Recovery volunteers will also be treated to some pampering and a high tea after the event. “These women offer emotional and physical support to those suffering from breast cancer, which is not an easy task, so the hospital wanted to acknowledge their efforts and thank them,” says Dr Edge.
 
Whether you are a breast cancer survivor, a breast cancer sufferer, want to arm yourself with knowledge about this disease or volunteer your services to help in the fight against breast cancer, everyone is welcome to attend the event. For more information please contact Michelle Norris ([email protected] or 021 480 6125).

 

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Issued by : Martina Nicholson Associates (MNA) on behalf of Netcare
Contact : Martina Nicholson, Sarah Beswick or Graeme Swinney
Telephone : (011) 469 3016
Email : [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected]