The Cape Town Retired teacher’s organisation held a breast cancer awareness event at Gugulethu Library on Wednesday 10 April to educate the community about the illness.
The event was organised by the Cape Town Retired Teachers Club (CTRTC), a support group that deals with social issues that affect society. The event was attended by the Reach for Recovery for Breast Cancer Support (RRBCS) organisation that educates people about cancer.
Reach for Recovery is a non-profit organisation that offers emotional and practical support to people diagnosed with breast cancer and their families.
CTRTC Health Committee coordinator Mary-Anne Tselane Ntsane described the club as consisting of retired teachers from various areas in the Metro.
She said the session is one of many events organised every fortnight in the library. She said they host different sessions depending on what the members want.
“We felt there was a need to have an awareness programme about breast cancer today to empower our members. The majority of people affected by the illness are women, especially those who are above 50 years of age,” said Ntsane, adding that both genders are not immune from this illness.
She said it was vital for the people to visit the medical practitioners immediately once they feel any peculiar thing in their body.
Reach for Recovery volunteer and breast cancer survivor Linda Mzilikazi described the event as informative. She encouraged people to know their bodies. Mzilikazi stated that cancer can be cured, especially when it is diagnosed early by professional practitioners.
“Chances of having breast cancer are high for women who started menstruation earlier at the age of 12 years old. And to those who have menopause. Sometimes even the lifestyle that a particular person is living, like smoking too much,” explained Mzilikazi, adding that it was essential to eat healthy. She stressed that not everyone who has a lump in the breast has breast cancer but emphasised that it was important to regularly visit the doctor.
She stated that she was happy to see old women passionate about their healthy living.
She said they worked closely with the government hospitals and clinics. “Sometimes we visit hospitals and clinics to support those who are diagnosed with breast cancer. We are trying to revive their spirits because some of them when they are diagnosed, think that they are going to die. Here I am still alive. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2017 and a month later, I had an operation where I removed the lump in my breast.
“After that, I went for radium cancer treatment for six months before the doctor informed me that I was a cancer survivor. I’m healthy now,” she explained, adding that she also gives sessions in churches.
One of those attending Nonzwakazi Mkunqwana reiterated Mzilikazi’s sentiments citing that the session was informative. She said she learned a lot in a short period.
“I didn’t know if you started menstruating earlier you are at risk of having breast cancer. I also heard that if someone had it before in the family, there is a high risk of continuing to have it in the next generation. It is important for people to keep on testing them,” said Mkunqwana.