October\u2019s pink ribbons do more than bring color to the streets and malls of Gauteng. They remind every woman to pause and protect her own life. Breast Cancer Awareness Month once again calls on women and men to confront a disease that remains South Africa\u2019s most common form of cancer. The 2023 National Cancer Registry reports that one in 27 South African women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, a figure that continues to climb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Across Gauteng, from the business corridors of Sandton to the public clinics of Soweto and Tembisa, awareness drives are helping residents identify symptoms earlier and seek treatment faster. The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA<\/a>) estimates that 19.4 million women over the age of 15 are at risk, yet thousands still avoid screening because of fear, financial constraints, or confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ALSO READ: Breast Cancer Awareness: Identifying Benign Lumps and Staying Safe in Gauteng<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKnowledge is power,\u201d says Dr Salomine Theron, radiologist and manager of SCP Radiology\u2019s Tygervalley Mammography Center. She explains that many women remain uncertain about their own risk, the benefits of mammograms, and what each examination can reveal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Her warning echoes through Gauteng\u2019s hospitals, where doctors continue to see patients arriving with late-stage cancer. These are the key questions every woman and man should ask this October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only about five to ten percent of breast cancers are inherited, most often through BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. A mother, sister, or grandmother with breast or ovarian cancer does increase your risk, but most diagnoses occur without any family history. Genetics is only part of the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Age, obesity, alcohol use, and hormonal factors such as early menstruation or late menopause are recognized contributors. Women who delay childbirth or never have children face a slightly higher risk. Dr Theron adds that in some cases, cancer develops without any identifiable cause, which makes regular screening essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If breast cancer is detected early, CANSA reports survival rates of up to 90 percent. Both private and public facilities in Gauteng offer screening, yet many women still arrive too late. Delays are often linked to stigma or limited access to diagnostic equipment outside major cities. Public health programs are now promoting mobile mammography units to reach townships and rural areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A mammogram remains the best screening tool for women over 40. Ultrasound is useful for younger women or those with dense breast tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging is advised for patients with a strong family history or other high-risk factors. A biopsy confirms a diagnosis by testing cells from a lump. Breast cancer appears in several forms, including ductal, lobular, triple-negative, and HER2-positive. Each behaves differently and requires specific treatment. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy are common approaches. Two women may share a diagnosis but follow completely different treatment plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBreaking The Silence Through Knowledge<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is Breast Cancer Hereditary?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Increases Your Risk?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can Early Detection Save Lives?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Tests can Detect Breast Cancer?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Radiology clinics in Johannesburg and Pretoria recommend combining these tests for a comprehensive assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAre all Breast Cancers the Same?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n