By: Matshidiso Selebeleng

To close women’s month, Busamed Bram Fischer Private Hospital hosted a mother and daughter breast-health awareness outreach at Hide Inn Guest House in last week Saturday in Bloemfontein. The main aim of the event was to promote early detection and proactive health practices among women. This event focused on encouraging women to have regular self-exams and mammograms em phasising that early detection is a critical factor for successful treatment outcomes. Amongst other speakers was Mrs South Africa f inalist Siyasanga Mophethe who addressed the common misconceptions surrounding cancer. Speaking to Journal News, Mophethe said there is a misconception that children don’t get breast cancer. “There is a misconception that men do not get breast cancer. It may not occur as often as it does in women, but men are still at risk. She said that being educated about these chronic illnesses helps people to know how to react when they get cancer scares,” Mophethe said. A breast and cervical cancer survivor from Breast Health Foundation, Louise Turner also shared some insight on how different the breasts look like as people age. “Younger women often have denser breast tis sue, which makes it difficult to get clear imaging in young girls. “Because of the density of their breasts, it is a bit difficult to get clear imaging in young wom en, but they are still encouraged to undergo scans. She also encouraged older women to undergo regular self-exams which will help them to no t ice when there are changes in their breasts that you can take necessary precautions,” she said. Turner also touched on cervical cancer and how now there’s a home swap kit, which will help women to swap from the comfort of their homes instead of going to the doctor.