The incidence of breast cancer among South African women is increasing, making the disease the most common of cancers among women.
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Kotex® is encouraging conversations around this to help raise awareness and assist those diagnosed.
“More and more young women today are being diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. It is therefore highly important women under the age of 25 to practise regular self care. However, women of all ages should perform self-examination as a precautionary measure,” advises Sister Burgie, advisory nursing sister and midwife for Kotex®.
By: Keletso Modisakeng
Breast self-examination steps
- Undress and stand in front of a mirror with your arms on your sides. Visually inspect your breasts and look for any signs of puckering, dimpling or changes in size, shape or symmetry of your breasts.
- Raise your arms above your head and continue to look for the same signs.
- Using the fingertips of your right hand, examine your left breast in small circular movements; checking for lumps or tissue thickening. Be sure to start from the base of your breast and work towards your nipple.
- Now, use your left hand to examine your right breast in the same way.
- Check your nipples to see if they are turned in or if there is any visible discharge.
- Check your armpits for lumps or tissue thickening. This step is important as there is a ‘tail’ of breast tissue that extends into the armpit.
