Cancer is one of the most serious diseases women face. Apart from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women of all races, with a lifetime risk of about 1 in 35 in South Africa*. It is essential to be aware of all types of cancer which is why being well informed and educated is so important.
Peer support
There are many Twitter accounts out there which can be of interest, including, @HealthZA, which consists of official tweets from the National Department of Health South Africa, or @SACancerbuddies, a South African NGO project for people living with cancer provides peer support to newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families can be beneficial.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month so show your support for this disease that affects so many families in South Africa. Have you been tested? Find out where you can get a mammography by following @ThePinkDrive which is a mobile mammography and educational unit that takes breast cancer education and screening to the women of South Africa, or follow the Founder and Director of PinkDrive @PinkDriveNoels as she spreads her passion about creating awareness and educating people about the importance of early detection of breast cancer.
For those who have been directly or indirectly affected by this disease and seek support and inspiration, it might be useful to reach out to @CancerInspire – they support the fight against cancer. Their mission is to make a positive influence in the lives of everyone who is involved. Or follow a cancer survivor @liesldb
You may even be part of a movement group who want to make a difference and in this case you might find @BreastCancerABC, an active breast cancer organisations with the driving goal of lobbying government to develop and implement an effective Breast Health Policy, interesting.
* According to the 2007 National Cancer Registry
Read more:
What is breast cancer?
Treating breast cancer with surgery
The inspiring story of a breast cancer survivor