1 in 27 South African women are at risk of breast cancer. This is an alarming statistic but, fortunately, with early detection and advanced treatment options now available, more women are surviving this disease.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, a time to ramp up awareness and support women by encouraging and educating them about self-examination, annual clinical breast exams, and mammograms.
ILoveBoobies, a well-known NGO, offers free clinical breast cancer screenings to women with limited access to health care and, as part of its awareness campaign has, once again called on women to support each other by donating their gently worn bras to women in need.
The ‘collect a bra’ campaign, launched last year was a resounding success. According to Phillippa Brinkman of ILoveBoobies, the response was overwhelming. ‘As it was the first year of collecting gently-used or unwanted bras, we had no idea what to expect and, to be honest, we didn’t keep a tally of all the bras we received. All I know it that the collection boxes lined the walls of our offices as we organised and sorted them. We estimate we received in excess of 2 000 bras and are delighted to say that we have been able since then to donate a bra to every woman screened by ILoveBoobies, in the Western Cape.’
As an official mammography partner of ILoveBoobies, SCP Radiology installed bra collection boxes at all its mammography departments and encouraged patients, friends and fellow Capetonians, to donate bras of all styles and shapes. ‘Once again this year, we have collection boxes at nine of our branches and will be collecting bras until the end of October,’ explains Madelein de Wet, Clinical Operations Manager of SCP.
SCP Radiology also assists patients, referred by ILoveBoobies, for either a mammogram or ultrasound. ‘We have provided imaging for women on an ongoing basis throughout the year and have also seen patients for six-month follow-up ultrasound scans,’ says de Wet. ‘We’re thrilled to be a partner with ILoveBoobies and to be able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of women who are not able to access quality healthcare easily.’
Pictured with the bra collection boxes are radiographers Anika de Vos (left) and Mikayla Perumal., who invite women to ‘bring a bra’ to any of the nine SCP branches.
ILoveBoobies have additional bra collection points. For more information on the work the NGO does and how to donate a bra go to www.iloveboobies.org.za.
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