October brings pink ribbons and important conversations about breast cancer. But for the woman waiting for her results, the family adjusting to a diagnosis or the person missing someone they love, this is never simply a month on the calendar.
I want to use our platform to make those conversations easier to have. To encourage a woman to ask about a change she has noticed. To help someone find a place to begin. And to remind anyone facing breast cancer that they deserve care, understanding and support.
We can share a message of awareness. We can also help someone take the next step.
Behind every number is a person
According to CANSA, citing the National Cancer Registry 2024, breast cancer is the most common cancer among South African women, apart from non melanoma skin cancer. The reported lifetime risk is approximately 1 in 28. This is a population estimate over a lifetime, rather than the number of women who will be diagnosed this year.
The World Health Organization estimates that 2.4 million women were diagnosed globally in 2024 and approximately 694,000 people died from the disease.
These figures represent people with families, friendships, ordinary routines and plans for their future. They also remind us why access to timely diagnosis and treatment matters.
Know what is normal for you
Become familiar with how your breasts usually look and feel. There is no single version of normal, and changes can happen with hormones, pregnancy and age. What matters is noticing something new or unusual and having it assessed.
Changes to discuss with a health professional include:
● A new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
● A change in breast size, shape or appearance
● Dimpling, redness or other skin changes
● A nipple that has newly turned inward or changed appearance
● Unusual nipple discharge, particularly blood
Most breast lumps are not cancer, but a lump should still be checked, even if it does not hurt. A new change deserves attention at any age. Having no known family history does not rule out breast cancer.
A breast check and a mammogram have different roles
Breast awareness helps you notice changes. A clinical breast examination is an assessment by a trained health professional. A mammogram uses X rays to look for changes that may be too small to feel.
Checking your breasts at home does not replace recommended screening. Ask your clinician when mammography is appropriate for your age, family history and personal risk. If you have a symptom, seek assessment promptly rather than waiting for a routine screening appointment.
Early detection followed by timely treatment can improve outcomes. It is a reason to act, not a promise about any individual person's experience.
Where to begin in South Africa
Your local public clinic or GP: Ask for a breast assessment and a referral if further tests are needed.
CANSA: Use the CANSA Care Centre directory to find provincial contacts, including services covering Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal and the other provinces. Call 0800 22 6622 to ask about breast examinations and support. CANSA Care Centres do not perform mammograms but can help with referrals.
I Love Boobies: Visit its breast health screening page to enquire about available screenings and booking requirements.
Contact the provider before travelling to confirm availability, costs and referral requirements. A screening examination is a starting point; an abnormal finding may require imaging or a biopsy to establish a diagnosis.
Help another woman access care
For some women, making an appointment means finding money, transport or time away from work. Awareness needs to include those practical barriers.
I Love Boobies is a South African nonprofit that helps women access breast screening, including women who face financial or logistical barriers. You can make a donation or start a fundraiser. Contact the team through its website to ask how you can contribute.
CANSA also provides care and support for people affected by cancer. Its breast cancer resource page explains how to access counselling, support groups and other services.
Care can be something very practical
If someone you love is receiving treatment, offer something specific. A lift to an appointment. A meal. Help fetching the children. A message that does not demand a reply.
Let them tell you what they need. There should be room for fear, frustration and quiet days as well as hope. Nobody should have to perform bravery to deserve support.
To those living with breast cancer, those navigating life after treatment and those grieving someone they love, we hold space for you in this conversation.
This October, please give your own health a place in your diary. Ask about the change. Make the appointment. If you can, help another woman access care too.
Your health deserves attention throughout the year.
Find your nearest CANSA Care Centre.