“It won’t happen to me until it does”: Colombo Zonta Club II in major drive against breast cancer
Dedicated effort: The team from Zonta Club II. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
The slogan is “It won’t happen to me. Until it does”.
Come October which is Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Zonta Club II of Colombo redoubles its focus on raising awareness on breast cancer. Facilitating early detection of the disease is the group’s primary aim this month and their trilingual ad campaign is to encourage women to perform self-examinations or schedule an appointment with a physician to have one performed.
Club member Arukshi Rajapaksa says that the campaign slogan was conceptualized in September after discussions with consultants and others who have a history of cancer in their families. A major factor deterring women from practising early detection methods and scheduling checkups is the notion that the likelihood of the disease developing in them at all is slim, she says, noting that identifying potential symptoms through routine examinations can be lifesaving for women of any age.“We need to ensure that it becomes a part of your normal routine.”
The breast cushion
“You have to do this by yourself. No one else can tell you. It’s your body, your life – you’ve got to take that step yourself,” says club member Vidyani Hettigoda on the importance of performing self-examinations.
A self-examination can be performed both in a standing position or while lying down. Possible symptoms can be ascertained in the form of lumps that are visible or palpable in the breast, changes in the feel, look, or texture of the skin on the breast, discharge from the nipple, pain on or around the nipple, the development of lumps close to the lymph nodes under the arm and more. Women over the age of 18 should self-examine every month before the start of their menstrual cycle or after it has ended. If they find anything unusual, they should contact a doctor or request to have the examination done by one.
For those aged 40 and above, a mammogram especially if you have a history of breast cancer in the family is advised.
The group works closely with the Breast Cancer Surgeons Association.
This month the Club has six new activities, including the introduction of the breast cancer comfort cushion to the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, two awareness programmes in Jaffna with female police officers, an awareness programme for schoolgirls over 16, an awareness programme for the women of the Police headquarters in Colombo and the staff of Lanka Hospitals.
The club will have a competition to win a free mammogram. This initiative is in partnership with Nawaloka Hospitals, Lanka Hospitals, Asiri Hospitals, Durdans Hospital and Ninewells Hospital.
Programmes have been planned in areas such as Hambantota, Anuradhapura and Nuwara Eliya where doctors and health professionals will explain how to perform self-examinations and impart other valuable information regarding the early detection of breast cancer and the use of the breast cancer comfort cushion. For those who have undergone surgery for breast cancer, the Club offers the breast cancer comfort cushion made of 100% cotton to promote their recovery and comfort.
The U-shaped breast cushion first introduced by the Zonta Club of Botany Bay, Australia, in 1995, is worn under the arm to maximise comfort following the operation. The cushion provides support for those who may be reluctant to move their arm due to pain and concern that the surgical site might sustain harm.
Once discharged from hospital, patients can continue to use the cushion to provide support while they sleep, and attend to other daily activities. It can also be worn over a jacket or shirt to protect them from injury or accidental contact.
The Club has been distributing these cushions free across the country to 38 hospitals including in Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Chilaw, Batticaloa, Karapitiya, Colombo and more. With over 2000 cushions distributed last year, Vidyani adds that those interested in receiving a cushion can contact the Club and have it delivered directly to them.
For more information, see their Instagram: zontaclub2ofcolombo or Facebook. Those interested in contacting the Club or sponsoring the making of a cushion can email: zontaclub11ofcolombo@gmail.com
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