Retail chain supports Breast Health Awareness Month

Good breast health begins with a personal life-long breast health program which needs to include the following elements:
•A healthy diet high in Vitamins A and C – both of which are known to have good preventative qualities for all types of cancer;
•Regular exercise and a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI);
•Monthly breast self examination;
•Clinical breast health examinations, the regularity of which
depends on your age, and
•For women 40+, annual mammograms. A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of your breasts undertaken by a professional. It can detect breast changes that are too small or too deep to feel through self examination alone, a properly performed mammogram is safe, quick and painless.

Women aged 20-39 should have a clinical breast examination by a healthcare professional every three years and a monthly breast self examination.

Women aged 40 and over should have an annual mammography as well as an annual clinical breast examination by a healthcare professional and their monthly breast self-examination.

A proper fit is important

Diet, lifestyle and general wellbeing are other important factors; dietary fat intake should be kept to a minimum and vegetables, especially broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, should be a regular and prominent part of each woman's diet. Wearing a bra that is the right size and fits comfortably is also very important as restricted blood flow to any tissue will be harmful. A proper bra fitting can be done at any good lingerie shop to ensure that the bra purchased is the correct size.

The link between obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and breast cancer is well documented. Breast cancer is directly linked to an unhealthy lifestyle and unhealthy eating, both of which can easily be rectified. Women who are physically active have a 30% reduced risk of being diagnosed and women who are physically active after being diagnosed have a 30% reduced chance of recurrence.

Women who give birth later on in life are at a higher risk than those that have their first child before 25. Other warning factors are women who a family history of breast cancer; women who have not breast fed; young girls who menstruated at an early age and women who experience a belated menopause. Although all women are at risk to some extent, regular self-examination and awareness of your body needs to be a top priority for all women over the age of 25.

Look at your family history

"A comforting fact for women is that the majority of breast cancer patients do not need to undergo a mastectomy," says Professor Apffelstaedt, associate professor of surgery at the University of Stellenbosch and head of a Cape Town multidisciplinary breast health clinic, "if the cancer is detected early enough we can administer breast saving therapy in 70% of cases. It is not true that removing the breast is necessarily a better option than breast conservation – breast specialist doctors have been using breast conservation where possible over full mastectomy for over 20 years."

Women also need to look at their family health history; if it is unknown it is important to find out all relevant medical history from a close relative or the family GP. A strong family history of breast cancer does increase one's risk, so it is vital to be aware of such
information.

Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in the world. In South Africa, approximately one in every 10 women will develop breast cancer. Says Prof. Apffelstaedt, "In my experience, the incidence of breast cancer across all population groups has increased as more women urbanize."

Encouragingly, the death rate from breast cancer in first world countries has halved over the past decade and continues to decline. South Africa is not that far behind.

"Women are becoming more aware of the importance of proactively managing their overall health rather than just managing the disease," says Professor Apffelstaedt.

The retail chain is currently collaborating with Professor Apffelstaedt and the women of South Africa to stimulate awareness around the management of this disease. Visit your nearest Clicks+ pharmacy for a professional breast examination, or simply to speak to a professional if you are concerned or have any questions.

For the month of October Clicks are offering free breast examinations, visit your nearest Clicks pharmacy and speak to the pharmacist about having your breasts checked.

Visit http://www.apffelstaedt.com for more information.