As October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month drew to a close last week, the Sea Point police held a talk for their staff about the illness.
Retired nurse Maudie Nel, a former Pink Drive volunteer, said it was very important for people to make time in their busy schedules to check their breasts.
“Breast cancer is rife still because of the lack of knowledge and people not being aware that they can self- examine their breasts,” said Ms Nel.
She has been doing these talks for various groups since she retired five years ago.
“Because of my involvement with women over the years, I felt that this was much-needed information that needs to be spread. I think it is about people not making the time for themselves and the business of their work, families and caring for others. It is very common that women put themselves on the back-burner.”
Ms Nel said self-examinations should take place once a month. “If they pick up anything abnormal, they should go to the doctor immediately, and the doctor will handle it from there. Not every abnormality is cancer, but even if it is not, they should still see a doctor.”
Men should also examine their breasts as they too could get breast cancer.
Sea Point police spokeswoman Captain Elizabeth Munrow said had arranged the talk because women at the station were often so busy.
“When you work every day you don’t really have time to go and get this information. The women at SAPS normally don’t have time for check-ups. I think we’ve got a broader picture now about what breast cancer looks like and the symptoms we should look out for,” she said.
