Breast cancer accounts for a quarter of yearly new cancers in SA women

October 8, 2021

Breast cancer accounted for more than a quarter of new cancer cases in South African women in 2020, and 8% of cancer deaths.

Women who have an annual mammogram screening for breast cancer are diagnosed with less advanced cancer and smaller tumours, undergo less aggressive treatment and have a lower risk of death – yet most South African medical aids allow for a mammogram only every two years.


Early detection of breast cancer dramatically improves the chances of survival, and reduces the need for aggressive and invasive treatment, in a disease that is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in South African women, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 25.


Breast cancer accounted for more than a quarter of new cancer cases in South African women in 2020, and 8% of cancer deaths.


October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Prof Jackie Smilg, chair of the Breast Imaging Society of South Africa (BISSA), stressed that the “gold standard” for detection of breast cancer remains the mammogram, which can find tell-tale changes in breast tissue years before symptoms develop. BISSA is a sub-specialty group of the Radiological Society of South Africa (RSSA).


“The goal of screening for breast cancer is to find the disease before it causes symptoms. Early breast cancer detection reduces deaths, extends life expectancy, and improves quality of life for breast cancer patients. Early detection through mammography also means less extensive surgery, fewer mastectomies, and less frequent or aggressive chemotherapy.”


“Numerous clinical studies have proven that screening mammograms substantially reduce deaths from breast cancer. Given th epositive impact of early detection on the patient’s life and the reduced need for more extensive and expensive treatments, it is disappointing that medical aids and government agencies do not accept the evidence of the benefits of annual mammography,” Prof Smilg said.


She added that annual mammogram screening in women aged 40 to 49 is highly recommended due to the faster speed at which tumours double in size in this age group.


She said that regular screening was more likely to find breast cancers when they are small and still limited to the breast area, and that this was important for successful treatment and survival, since the size and extent of the spread are crucial in predicting the outcome of a breast cancer diagnosis.


“While advances in breast cancer treatment have definitely also contributed to improved survival rates as well as enabling less aggressive and invasive treatment, the foundation remains early detection through regular screening,” Prof Smilg said.


BISSA recommends that women who carry the breast cancer (BRCA) gene or who have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child, maternal grandmother), diagnosed with breast cancer are considered higher risk and should begin annual screening five years before the age that their relative was diagnosed.


All women should regularly self-examine their breasts, Prof Smilg said, and women at average-to-mild risk should start having annual mammograms from age 40, regardless of whether they have any symptoms or have found any abnormalities.


Tomosynthesis (a digital technique that enables a 3D view of the breast) and possibly sonar, depending on breast density, are recommended along with the mammogram, while for women at high risk, BISSA recommends MRI scanning as an additional screening measure.


Prof Smilg emphasises that the amount of radiation used in modern mammography is “negligible”, with no evidence of harm to the breasts or the rest of the body – “the benefits of screening and early detection far outweigh any risk associated with radiation” she said.


She also warned against technologies and devices that claimed to offer an equivalent alternative to the mammogram.


Alternatives touted by often non medically qualified people and organisations include a hand-held “breast light”; thermography, which detects temperature variations on the skin surface; and breast “tactile imaging”, which electronically maps breast tissue elasticity.


“There is no evidence that these methods have any value in the screening and detection of breast cancer when compared with mammography. They are often operated by personnel with no medical training and no training in conventional breast imaging and may in fact cause more harm by missing breast cancers, leading to delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options,” Prof Smilg said.


The bottom line? A lump could turn out to be harmless but, regardless of age or a lack of family history of breast cancer, rather be safe than sorry – get it checked by a medical professional.

Dr Wilhelm Lichteberg, Baby Kendreya and parents
July 8, 2025
Cardiothoracic surgeon and founder of the Young Hearts Africa Foundation, Dr Wilhelm Lichtenberg, has made it his life’s purpose to reach children with life-threatening heart defects like Baby Kendreya Pillay's before it is too late. Since its inception in 2023, the foundation has helped 30 children.
Men’s health warning: Prostate cancer usually has no early symptoms
June 26, 2025
Urologists Dr Hannes Brummer and Dr Johan Coetzee, who practise at Netcare Greenacres Hospital, are encouraging men to prioritise prostate cancer screening this Men’s Health Month.
HIV does not have to define your future
June 20, 2025
This Youth Month, a pharmacist from South Africa’s original national courier pharmacy highlights HIV prevention and effective management as key health concerns the youth should be aware of.
Healthcare professionals urged to recognise the risk of burnout and depression
June 13, 2025
It has been estimated that 80% to 90% of doctors experience some form of burnout at some point in their careers. This can affect their ability to practise optimally and to connect with their patients with empathy and care. The consequences are serious, as burnout and depression are major risks for doctors, threatening both their wellbeing and the quality of care they provide.
Cataract awareness
June 4, 2025
Upbeat 25-year-old student Atang Climantine Makhubedu jokingly calls herself a cataract survivor. Just weeks before, however, she was battling the harsh reality of unexpected vision loss, which Dr Sachin Bawa, an ophthalmic surgeon practising at Netcare Linkwood Hospital, describes as having significantly impacted Atang’s daily life.
First for SA: Electronically enabled algorithm supports better clinical decisions
May 30, 2025
A South African first of its kind tool is transforming patient care locally by leveraging Netcare’s advanced electronic medical records system and abundant clinical data. This will help clinicians identify risk of deterioration from common causes earlier among intensive care patients so that treatment can start sooner.
Ditshegofatso Kgobisa suffered kidney failure at 15 and his mother donated her kidney to him
May 12, 2025
Ditshegofatso Kgobisa, known as ‘DK’ for short, suffered kidney failure at 15. After 11 months reliant on lifesaving dialysis with National Renal Care, DK gained a new lease on life after his mother, Rosemary, was able to donate one of her kidneys to him.
Neurologist Dr. Michael Huth emphasises the importance of understanding different migraine types
May 3, 2025
Migraines affect 15% of the global population, causing severe pain and disrupting daily life. Neurologist Dr. Michael Huth emphasises the importance of understanding different migraine types and their triggers.
Dr Michael de Villiers explains why people can become sick every flu season
April 21, 2025
Dr Michael de Villiers explains why people can become sick every flu season and why the influenza vaccine is generally recommended every year.
More Posts