City continues fight against breast cancer

21 September 2016

 

The City’s Nelson Mandela Bridge will be showered in pink for a month to bring the spotlight on breast cancer.   This is the fourth year the City has teamed up with international cosmetics company Estee Lauder to raise breast cancer awareness in October. 

 

From September 29 until the end of October, Johannesburg will join several cities around the world in lighting landmarks pink to call attention to breast health and the early detection of the disease. 

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the annual drive was launched by Estee Lauder founder Evelyn Lauder in 2000.

 

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development Dr Mpho Phalatse said: “The lighting of the Nelson Mandela Bridge will serve as a reminder that the earlier breast cancer is detected and diagnosed, the better are one’s chances of beating it.

 

“We are committed to beating it through education. We will continue this cancer drive within all health facilities in the City of Joburg during the month of October. We are proud of this partnership with Estee Lauder and commend them for taking action,” Cllr Phalatse said. 

 

South Africa is ranked 50th on the World Cancer Research Fund’s list of countries with the highest cancer prevalence rates. The most prevalent among women are breast, cervical, uterus, colorectal and oesophageal cancers.  Although breast cancer is primarily a women’s disease, about 1% of breast cancers occur in men.

 

Estee Lauder SA General Manager Loren Dreyer said calling attention to breast cancer “serves to create a dialogue around taking a conscious interest in one’s health”.

 

“Breast cancer now represents one in four of all cancers in women and is the most prominent cancer in women worldwide; increasing particularly in developing countries, where the majority of cases are diagnosed in late stages.

 

“We at Estee Lauder are proud to continue with the legacy of Evelyn Lauder and commend our partners at the City of Johannesburg for taking this stand with us to bring attention to a worthy cause,” said Dreyer.

 

Breast cancer risk factors include:

 Family history;

 One’s susceptibility to the condition;

 Age - the risk increases as one gets older; and

 Genetics - as many as 10% of cases are thought to be hereditary and lifestyle. The consumption of alcohol and obesity after menopause are linked to the increase in risk.