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Breast cancer among South African women increasing

21 October 2021 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied

Photo of AS copy — Prof Alicia Sherriff, head of the Department of Oncology at the University of the Free State (UFS), says Breast Cancer Awareness Month is important as continued awareness-making of the general population on the risks and signs of breast cancer are essential to ensure early diagnoses and improve the possibility of long-term survival.

Breast cancer among South African women is increasing and is one of the most common cancers among women in South Africa and at Universitas Academic Complex in the Free State, is only second to cervical cancer.

Prof Alicia Sherriff, head of the Department of Oncology at the University of the Free State (UFS), says 1.8% of breast cancer diagnoses in South Africa are made in men. At Universitas Annex, they treat on average 350-400 new breast cancer patients annually. They have not seen an increase in cancer cases in the past two years; Prof Sherriff says the COVID-19 pandemic definitely had an impact on patients accessing health care and patient referrals.

It is for this reason that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is so important since continued awareness-making of the general population on the risks and signs of breast cancer are essential to ensure early diagnoses and improve the possibility of long-term survival. Early detection is of the utmost importance, since breast cancer is treatable and curable. Awareness is critically important in all age groups and communities.

Globally, female breast cancer has now surpassed lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer incidence in 2020, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases, representing 11.7% of all cancer cases.

This is a according to an article in the American Cancer Society which also states that breast cancer accounts for one in four cancer cases in women and is the cause of deaths for one in six patients. It is the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, with 685,000 deaths.

According to Prof Sherriff, breast cancer is the abnormal growth of breast tissue. The cause is unknown in most patients but there are some factors that increase your risk of developing breast cancer; for example familial genetic syndromes, smoking and excessive alcohol use and obesity.

“It is important to note that a person can develop breast cancer even if there is no family history or any of the above-mentioned risk factors. The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. That said, women as young as 18 years of age have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Self-examination is important so women can be familiar with their breasts and any change will be picked up early. When you self-examine always do it at the same time of the menstrual cycle to experience an equal impact of the hormonal cycle in the female body,” says Prof Sherriff.

Breast cancer in young women

Less than 2% of patients diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 34years of age, but it is important to realise that it can happen and if it does arise in the younger age group it tends to be more aggressive and related to genetic mutation.

“The young breast tends to be very dense and therefore more difficult to interpret on a mammogram. For females younger than 40-45 years or women with dense breast tissue, breast sonar is advised to evaluate the breast and sometimes an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) might be requested, but this is not standard practice.

“Reproductive and hormonal risk factors to consider are: Early age at menarche, later age at menopause, advanced age at first birth, fewer number of children, less breastfeeding, menopausal hormone therapy, oral contraceptives. These factors all increase the duration of the female breast being exposed to higher levels of estrogen. Certain lifestyle risk factors (alcohol intake, excess body weight, physical inactivity) also increase the levels of hormonal exposure,” says Prof Sherriff.

Breast cancer rising

According to an article in the American Cancer Society, incidence rates of breast cancer are rising fast in transitioning countries in South America, Africa, and Asia as well as in high-income Asian countries (Japan and the Republic of Korea), where rates are historically low.

Dramatic changes in lifestyle, sociocultural, and built environments brought about by growing economies and an increase in the proportion of women in the industrial workforce have had an impact on the prevalence of breast cancer risk factors which include the postponement of childbearing and having fewer children, greater levels of excess body weight and physical inactivity, and have resulted in a convergence toward the risk factor profile of Western countries and narrowing international gaps in breast cancer morbidity.

“Some of the most rapid increases are occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Between the mid-1990s and mid-2010s, incidence rates increased by more than 5% a year in Malawi (Blantyre), Nigeria (Ibadan), the Seychelles, and 3% to 4% a year in South Africa (Eastern Cape) and Zimbabwe (Harare). Mortality rates in sub-Saharan regions have increased simultaneously and rank now among the world’s highest, reflecting weak health infrastructure and subsequently poor survival outcomes.

“The five-year age-standardised relative survival in 12 sub-Saharan African countries was 66% for cases diagnosed during 2008 through 2015, sharply contrasting with 85% to 90% for cases diagnosed in high-income countries during 2010 through 2014. The country-specific estimate was as low as 12% in Uganda (Kyadondo) and 20% to 60% in South Africa (Eastern Cape), Kenya (Eldoret), and Zimbabwe (Harare),47% comparable to 55% in the US state of Connecticut and 57% in Norway during the late 1940s,48 3 decades before the introduction of mammography screening and modern therapies,” the article reads.

Low survival rates in sub-Saharan Africa are largely attributable to late-stage presentation. According to a report summarising 83 studies across 17 sub-Saharan African countries, 77% of all stage cases were stage III/IV at diagnosis. Because organised, population-based mammography screening programs may not be cost effective or feasible in low-resource settings, efforts to promote early detection through improved breast cancer awareness and clinical breast examination by skilled health providers, followed by timely and appropriate treatment, are essential components to improving survival.

Physical symptoms and treatments

Prof Sherriff says screening (checking for disease when there are no symptoms) for breast cancer in the normal population should start at age 40-45, where possible and yearly mammogram with sonar would be preferred. If there is a strong family history with the diagnoses of breast cancer earlier screening should start five to 10 years prior to first diagnoses. Self examination is an essential component of screening.

The physical symptoms you can experience that might be indicative of breast cancer are:

- A lump in the breast which does not have to be painful

- Changes of the skin of the breast referring to dimpling, the colour, or texture

- Changes in the appearance of the nipple (areola)

- A clear or bloody discharge from the nipple

The treatment for breast cancer consists of a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormonal therapy. The treatment is individualised based on patient and cancer factors. Some patients will need all of the above whilst others may not. It is essential that the decision on the appropriate management is made in collaboration with the patient as part of the multidisciplinary team of specialists and allied health care workers.

News Archive

SRC Inauguration speech: 22 January 2005

2005-01-22

Campus Head (Prof Peter Mbati). Dean of Students (Dr Natie Luyt). Deputy Director: Student Affairs and my boss (Mr. Teboho Manchu), Members of the University executive and Academic staff members, SRC members, Leaders of trade Unions and Student organizations, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, most importantly first entering students and Parents receive my heartfelt revolutionary greetings.

Let me extend my word of appreciation to our distinguished guests for adding value and dignity to this event. Your presence here means a lot to us. Program Director what I bring here with me, assisted by facts, and is therefore just the work of my imagination. Like a love letter addressed to a sweetheart miles away, even though you do not know how she feels, what she wants to hear, and do not even know how her face looks like.

To me a speech is just an honest and intimate conversation. That is why I got into the habit of establishing a dialogue, or a debate, with my acquaintances looking at their faces and trying to persuade them of what I am telling them.

Mr. Speaker and Madam Deputy Speaker of the Student Parliament we are gathering at this ceremony, significantly few weeks after the release of grade 12 results, with the exception of those from Mpumalanga because of fraud. The Grade 12 results also show that only 18% of Black learners matriculated with exemptions, as compared to 53, 6% of white learners. This is an indication that our education system needs an overhaul.

We are also gathered here significantly a day after the management retreat held in Bloemfontein, Masselspoort. The retreat discussed, among other things, the transformation agenda, and some possible solutions to challenges we are facing now.

Most regrettably, we are gathered here when the whole world morns the victims of Tsunami tragedy. Let me therefore tore the line and convey our deepest condolences, from the last robot of my heart, to the affected families. Our hearts and thoughts will always be occupied by this horrified tragedy.

Creating a new Institution

I would submit, for purposes of debate and discussions that this Institution should strive to specialize and excel in regional rural development studies. Since our higher education, institutions in South Africa are generally weak in rural development studies. Instead, most of them tend to have an urban orientation to their programmes. Training everybody for the cities, big business and the private sector. This is a big weakness in a country with such large rural areas and population trapped in poverty, disease and ignorance.

Women’s studies

Program Director, it is only a moron who can argue against the fact that for us to reposition the institution around the regional development challenge, we need to start first with women empowerment. It is a fact that in most of our poor communities and families, it is women who withstand the worst of poverty. They are the ones who daily have to wipe tears from children who are hungry. It is women who look after the sick, the elderly, those dying from AIDS and the jobless. They are the one who have to fetch water, make fire and cook. There can therefore be no rural development studies without women studies, in particular on how to empower them and assist in the provision of basic services, so that they are relieved from some of the burdensome task of the society.

Registration Process

Mr. Speaker and Madam Deputy Speaker of the Student Parliament let me indicate that the registration is a process and not an event, so it cannot be concluded overnight. This huge process demands for people to stay calm, as there is no crisis. People should stop being excited. At the same time, no organization should use its cheap popularity and unilaterally disrupt the continuous and smooth running of the registration process at hand.

Let me strongly indicate, madam deputy speaker, that I am on record for stating that I have forgiven all those who have wronged us. I harbour no bitterness towards the protagonists of our painful and unfortunate events of the past week. And we will overcome this process not by our own devices but by the help of Almighty God and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Concerning registration of first years, we have programs, concerning that of senior students, we have programs, regarding graduations we have programs, and concerning HIV\AIDS we have programs. So, there is no need for people to press panicking buttons.

Mr. Speaker and Madam Deputy Speaker of the Student Parliament let me be opportunistic and welcome the entire student body on Campus for the academic year 2005. May our lovely first entering students have a happy and momentous year as part of Qwaqwa Campus of University of the Free State. May your studies be fruitful and enjoyable.

Student years are generally the happiest years of your life, so please make the most of them. While you are doing, all your preparations bear in mind that University is not an opportunity, it is just creating opportunities for a person.

On behalf of SRC members, our people, our students and management members I would like to welcome you all. Even though your parents are far away, here at Uniqwa you have more brothers, more sisters and more parents. Since we will love you with the same love as if we are from one family, and I have no doubts that management members will love and care for you as if you are their own children. Should you encounter any problem while studying at the Qwaqwa Campus of University of the Free State do not hesitate to contact us at the SRC offices because we need to ameliorate any factor influencing you negatively while on campus. I wish you well in the attainment of your academic pursuit.

Senior Students: We are not faced with just a new year but another academic year where we all have to work together to achieve our common goal of building our Institution through the development of human power. I urge you to invest your whole selves in this SRC.

For quite some time now, a debate has been ranging as to, whether has there been any progress in this incorporation process, or we are just moving with no direction. This debate is important, but I hasten to add not essential. The SRC is also involved in this debate, but with definite shift in emphasis. For us it is not important to participate in the debate than it is in finding solutions for the challenges of this new chapter in the history of humankind.

To my colleagues: Comrades, we are leading this Institution with a sense of pride and duty, and I know very well that we lead men and women, students who are determined to ensure that we all reach our destination safely and on time.

I said in one of our meetings that there are more enemies on our way, more than we can imagine. I think you witnessed that during the course of this week. The excitement and unnecessary confusions caused by some confused and loosed charlatans bear testimony to my statements. We should not reveal our game plans unless we are ready to slam.

Let me also borrow from the words of the late Albert Lethuli when he said and I quote: “There remains before us the building of the new land, from the ruins of the old narrow groups, a synthesis of the rich cultural strains which we have inherited. The task is immense”. Lastly, a navy divided within its ranks will be vanquished and destroyed by the enemy, but a navy united in purpose and action, loyalty and commitment will not drawn but sail on to victory.

In conclusion, let me call upon all political structures, church denominations, developmental structures, clubs, societies and forums to put aside all their differences, ideological insinuations and forge unity towards transforming Qwaqwa Campus of University of the Free State into an institution that is seen playing vigilant role in developing students academically, politically, socially, spiritually, religiously, culturally and otherwise.

Program Director, let me end my speech by indicating that every drop of my blood is telling me that Uniqwa is my home. I firstly became a student here, I became an activist here, I became a leader here, I became a president here, I will become a graduant here and hopefully I will become an employee here. So never, doubt my commitment towards the community of this campus.

Please be informed, in a central University of Technology’s way, that if there is no UNIQWA in HEAVEN, then I am not GOING.

Let us broaden the social base.

Tello Titus Wa-Motloung President General

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