Three women doctors have united in the fight against breast cancer by establishing a dedicated breast care team.
Clinical and radiation oncologist Dr Rouchelle Marais, a radiologist with a special interest in breast imaging Dr Heleen Hanekom and specialist breast surgeon Dr Lucienne van Schalkwyk are raising awareness this Breast Cancer Awareness Month of the importance of regular mammogram screening to help improve survival rates.
“Having a screening mammogram can feel daunting, but it should rather be seen as a vital component of regular health screenings that can help to prolong or even save your life by detecting cancer early,” said Dr Hanekom.
Hanekom added that mammography remains the best screening option for women as it is the only method of breast imaging that has consistently been shown to improve breast cancer mortality rates.
“Monthly breast self-examination is also important. However, with regular mammograms, ideally annually, we can detect breast cancer at the earliest possible opportunity, often before it is palpable,” she said.
Dr Van Schalkwyk said that the earlier breast cancer is identified, the more options are available to manage the condition.
“Some women report procrastinating about having a mammogram because they have experienced discomfort in the past. However, the risk is simply too great for women over the age of 40 for regular mammograms to be ignored or postponed,” she said.
Van Schalkwyk added that taking care of breast health is a necessary part of the health routine, and regular mammograms are recommended for all women from the age of 40 onwards.
“Your doctor can guide you as to how often you should be screened. If something is detected that requires further investigation, there is so much more that can be done today to treat breast cancer. The earlier a lesion is identified, the more treatment options there are available,” she said.
Hanekom, Marais and van Schalkwyk are passionate about prioritising breast health and making the journey of breast cancer treatment as unintimidating and effective as possible.
As a result, together, they have established a dedicated breast care team at Netcare Unitas Hospital in Centurion.
“Almost the entire team are women, and we understand that screening, diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer can be very daunting, so we have made the environment as supportive as possible for the patients we serve,” Van Schalkwyk said.
Netcare said the team has a multidisciplinary approach to treating breast cancer, and the care provided is aligned with international best practice guidelines.
“Each patient is a key member of the treatment team along with the medical specialists from various disciplines. Multi-disciplinary care ensures that treatment decisions can be reached without wasting the patient’s time or money, treatment progress can be monitored, and the plan can be revised if needed,” Van Schalkwyk said.
“Awareness and regular mammograms can go a long way to minimising the impact of breast cancer on individuals, families and society. Stay abreast of your health screenings, as a few minutes can bring you great peace of mind.”
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