Ahead of Women’s Month this August, a renowned breast specialist surgeon and breast disease specialist, Professor Carol-Ann Benn, has made a heartfelt plea to women to commit to regular breast health checks.
Statistically, one in 27 South African women will be affected by breast cancer in their lifetime.
Early detection means timely intervention. Caught early, breast cancer is highly treatable, and here is where public awareness is really needed. Mammograms and self-examination are so important because an early diagnosis, coupled with the great strides made in the treatment of breast cancer, means that breast cancer can be beaten,” says Professor Benn.
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“We need to talk about breast cancer far more than we do. Moms, speak to your daughters – and your sons. Friends and sisters talk to each other about it. Check that those close to you are up to date with their screening, and support each other by sharing trusted sources of knowledge on the topic,” she urges.
Professor Benn, who established the internationally recognised Netcare Milpark Breast Care Centre of Excellence (BCCE) in Johannesburg, says that women now have much better health outcomes than those diagnosed in previous generations. “As we get better and better at treating breast cancer, a diagnosis does not have to mean radical surgery. In fact, seven out of ten women diagnosed with breast cancer do not require a mastectomy.”
Professor Benn encourages women to carry out regular breast examinations on themselves in addition to regular mammogram screening.
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“Seventy percent of all breast cancers are discovered through self-examination, but many women are unsure how to check their breasts. They may view monthly self-examination as an unnecessary inconvenience or even something to be avoided because they are worried they may find something that causes them concern. No one wants to feel anxious, and the great benefits of self-examination for detection of breast cancer cannot be overstated.”
She explains that while many people think they are at low risk because they have no history of breast cancer in their family, 60% of women who are diagnosed have no identifiable risk factors. “Breast cancer can affect anyone, from young girls to elderly women and men too,” she says.
Awareness and support
“If someone you know is diagnosed with breast cancer, speak to them about hope; don’t flood them with doom and gloom stories of treatment from days gone by. The outlook is so much brighter today. Tell them you understand that it can feel hard to be brave, but with the right support and medical team behind them, it is easier to feel hopeful. Educate yourself about self-examination so you can help teach those close to you. This will help us create the awareness we need.”
Professor Benn runs Africa’s first and only Netcare Milpark Breast Care Centre of Excellence (BCCE), which has been accredited by the American College of Surgeon’s National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) located at Netcare Milpark Hospital. The highly regarded centre is one of only three units outside the United States of America that have been awarded full accreditation by the NAPBC, meaning the Netcare Milpark BCCE is considered to be at the level of care equivalent to similar top-tier units in the USA.
“We follow international guidelines, so the patient knows they are safe and getting the best treatment we can give them for their diagnosis,” says Professor Benn. Accreditation is only granted to those programmes that are committed to providing the best possible standards of care to patients with breast cancer. These services are also available at the breast units at Netcare Alberton, Netcare Linksfield, Netcare Olivedale and Netcare Park Lane Hospitals through specialists who are also part of the accreditation.
The Netcare Milpark BCCE is a one-stop centre where women, girls and men are treated holistically by a multidisciplinary team of medical practitioners. The team includes surgeons, radiation oncologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, genetic counsellors, physiotherapists, dieticians, survivor specialists and specialised nurses, all working together to provide the best possible patient centred care.
“The benefit of a team of interdependent, accountable health practitioners acting with a common purpose is simply that it’s the best way to put our patients first and present them with the full picture of their condition and the options available,” Professor Benn says.
“We know it’s stressful to hear the word ‘cancer’, and one shouldn’t have to worry about navigating numerous healthcare facilities to get the right treatment. Under one roof, with a collaborative team dedicated to breast cancer, we treat women, girls and men with empathy and ongoing support.
“We make sure the person has access to information on new clinical trials and the latest treatment options, and we also provide genetic counselling and psychosocial support. We help them with financial guidance and help them navigate the various rehabilitation services. When they have completed their treatment, we chart a way forward for them with survivorship care and a thorough plan with recommendations for follow-up care.”
Professor Benn says that with greater awareness and the advances in breast cancer treatment, there is more room for hope and less cause for fear than ever before.
“Please don’t be scared if you feel a lump. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or even ask for a second opinion. It’s your body, not the doctor’s. Don’t wait to get medical assistance. There is such good help available now. Get involved in your own journey of hope. Remember that nine out of ten women diagnosed with breast cancer are alive ten years later. Today, there really is so much room for optimism in a breast cancer diagnosis.”
Self-care for your breasts
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
Professor Benn stresses that the most important method of diagnosis is ongoing self-examination, which can support early detection. “This should be followed up with regular clinical breast examination by your doctor or breast specialist and referral for a mammogram, ultrasound (breast sonar), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a combination of these.”
How to do breast self-examination
“Take time to examine your breasts and get used to the way they feel and look. You have to get to know what’s normal for you,” says Professor Benn.
“Check your breasts for any differences, like changes in the size or shape of the breast, any irregularities in the skin, any changes in the nipple and any lumps in the breast or under the arm. This is an easy way for women to get used to their breasts so they can identify any changes that may occur.”
It’s recommended that women carry out a monthly breast self-examination at the same time in their menstrual cycle if they’re still menstruating or on the same day every month.
If you find a change in your breast, please don’t be afraid. Make an appointment straight away with your general practitioner, who will guide you on the next steps to find out if it really is something that needs attention.”
For help on how to conduct effective breast self-examination, visit https://www.mybreast.org.za/breast-health/breast-cancer/how-can-i-check-for-breast-cancer/.
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References and further reading:
Notes to editors
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