Cape Town - The City of Cape Town’s Directorate for Community Services and Health is calling on Capetonians to prioritise their physical and mental health this October.
The Directorate which oversees the City’s Health Department, which champions issues related to residents’ health, announced its initiative to prioritise breast cancer and mental health awareness this month.
According to the City, the theme for this year’s breast cancer awareness month is ‘No one should face breast cancer alone’.
“City Health encourages patients, and their loved ones, to prioritise mental well-being as part of the treatment regimen,” the Department said.
Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer one can be diagnosed with. While, among South African women, the risk is 1 in 27. Although it is less common in men, it is still possible.
The City’s Mayco member for Community Services and Health Patricia van der Ross said we encouraging women and men to get regular breast examinations.
Receiving a potentially fatal diagnosis, going through treatment and learning to live with limitations can lead to significant implications on one’s mental well-being.
“Much of the focus of serious illness or injury tends to be the physical effects and treatment, with less conversation or thought given to the mental impacts, which can be equally devastating,” she said.
While all City clinics offer breast examinations, the facilities also do screening for mental health, and clients are either referred to provincial hospitals or City clinics that have sessional psychologists.
“Women and men are encouraged to do regular breast self-examinations and to seek help immediately if they notice symptoms such as a new lump or mass, a painless hard lump with uneven edges.
“A tender, soft and rounded lump, swelling of all or part of the breast, skin irritation or dimpling, breast pain, nipple pain or the nipple turning inward.
“Redness, scaliness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin, nipple discharge other than breast milk, and a lump in the underarm area,” Van der Ross said.
“I want to remind persons living with breast cancer to find and exploit support networks, whether these are support groups, family members, friends or even your church. If you want to get professional support numerous organisations offer counselling and support.
“City Health also offers mental health services, so speak to your local clinic to find out what options are available and could work for you,” Van der Ross said.