CHECK, KNOW, PREVENT

Vuyile Madwantsi

Local NPO creates sports bra that teaches you how to perform breast self-examination

BREAST cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, affecting 1.7 million women each year.

According to the National Cancer Registry (2017), one in every 26 women in South Africa is at risk of developing breast cancer.

Several studies have found that 70% of breast cancers are detected through routine self-examination, which has the potential to save your life and money.

There is also an argument that it is the fear of cancer that prompts a dread of self-examination.

If you are diagnosed early with breast cancer, your 5-year survival rate is 98%; if you are detected at stage 0, your chance of survival is nearly 100%. This indicates that early detection is critical to survival, said Check Know Prevent.

In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness month, this local nonprofit wants to ensure women check their breasts regularly and know warning signs.

“Often, we have found that women also do not know how to correctly examine their breasts.”

As part of its proactive approach to breast cancer prevention, the organisation created a sports bra with a hidden inner lining that teaches women how to perform a self-breast examination and what warning signs to look for.

With the help of a quality sports bra worn by every woman every day, the organisation hopes to encourage more women to practise regular self-examinations.

Designed by an expert undergarment designer, Di Schonegevel, with over 20 years of design experience, the sports bra has a stylish design with subtle front gathering and removable padding.

THE organisation hopes to encourage more women to practise regular self-examinations.

The inner fabric provides additional support and is made of 95% polyester and 5% Spandex, while the outer fabric is a blend of 85% polyester and 15% Spandex.

This garment can be worn as a supportive workout sports bra, or a comfortable, fashionable racer-back cropped tank top.

THIS sports-bra is ideal for wearing postmastectomy surgery because it offers comfort and softness. | SUPPLIED

In addition to being fully lined it has no sharp seams, and is also ideal for wearing post-mastectomy surgery, because it offers comfort and softness.

For every five bras sold (starting at R399 each) Check Know Prevent will donate one to a Grade 11 or 12 student in need.

The proceeds will be used to support informative talks featuring a professional nurse who will demonstrate a breast selfexamination.

MANY women do not know how to correctly examine their breasts. | SUPPLIED