28 Oct 2024

Routine and prompt diagnosis followed by treatment, coupled with a healthy lifestyle are key in fighting breast cancer. 

The disease affects females and males but 99 per cent of breast cancer cases occur in women and 0.5 to one per cent occur in men, Letlhakeng chief medical officer, Dr Thatayaone Lekhutile stated during a breast cancer awareness event in Letlhakeng on Friday. 

Dr Lekhutile said women aged 40 and above were more at risk of breast cancer than younger ones. Those who begin their menstrual periods before the age of 12 and those who experience menopause after the age of 55, he said were vulnerable as well as those who were obese. 

Dr Lekhutile also said alcohol consumption was a risk factors for breast cancer. 

Genetics, inherited or due to mutation are risk factors for breast cancer, Dr Lekhutile said but explained that risk factors did not mean one would have breast cancer, adding that about 50 per cent of healthy women could also get breast cancer. 

He encouraged women to test for cervical cancer, saying there were screening tools readily available in government facilities. 

Engaging in sexual activity at an early age, below 18-years-old, and having multiple partners increases the risk of developing cervical cancer, Dr Lekhutile said . He added that African males over the age of 50 were susceptible to prostate cancer.

He said physical exercise could minimise the risk of breast cancer and that routine screening schedule was critical to detect cancer at its earliest stage before becoming aggressive. 

Dr Lekhutile said eating food with more fiber, fruits, and vegetables could lower the risk of cancer. 

Letlhakeng District agricultural coordinator, Mr Thomas Tadubana said junk food could lead to obesity or weight gain, making one vulnerable to diseases including breast cancer and advised that a healthy diet was the way to go. 

Letlhakeng District Health Management Team head, Dr Chawangwa Letsholathebe said the theme: No One Should Face Breast Cancer Alone, was spot on and called for support of all patients of breast cancer. She said breast cancer was a global challenge. ends