Together we are stronger

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. To commemorate this month several ladies from African News Agency (ANA) decided to stand together to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with this particular form of cancer.

Magenta Magazine, ANA’s latest addition to the group decided to shoot a campaign to raise more awareness around breast cancer using real in-house ANA employees.

Saarah Survé, Deputy Editor at Fast Company and African Independent; Annette de wet, Editor at Magenta; Siposethu Nini, ANA Publishing Intern and Jacky Villet, Sales Executive at ANA Publishing.

The shoot took place at the ANA Studio to emphasize the fight against cancer and drive home the point that together as women, we are stronger!

According to CANSA, approximately 19.4 million women aged 15 years and older live at-risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer – cancer affecting women in South Africa the most.

“This was an experience which I will never forget with memories which I will treasure forever- uniting woman together for the awareness of breast cancer,” says ANA Publishing Sales Executive, Jacky Villet.

Grant Fredericks, Chief Executive Officer of African News Agency is a strong supporter of raising breast cancer awareness. In honour of creating greater awareness around breast cancer, and to remind women, who are battling breast cancer, that they are not alone, Fredericks changed the ANA logo to a pink shade. He says: “I have decided to change the colour of our ANA logo in honour of breast cancer awareness month as I understand the pain of losing my mother to this dreaded disease.”

Annette de wet, Editor at Magenta; Saarah Survé, Deputy Editor at Fast Company and African Independent; Siposethu Nini, ANA Publishing Intern and Jacky Villet, Sales Executive at ANA Publishing

According to plastic surgeon, Dr. Rory Dower*, early detection is vital and he highly recommends that women undergo their annual screening from the age of 40.

Siposethu Nini, ANA Publishing Intern and Jacky Villet, Sales Executive at ANA Publishingf, Annette de Wet, Magenta Editor, Saarah Survé, Deputy Editor at Fast Company and African Independent

It is also extremely important for each woman to do a self-examination every month and be aware of any danger signs like a lump in one or both breasts, as well as any skin irritation. Dower says that lesser symptoms are also vital to take notice of which include nipple pain or the nipple suddenly turning inwards, and unusual nipple discharge and swelling of all or part of the breast.

If you notice any of these symptoms, please make an appointment with your physician.

“It is just shocking to know that one in every 29 South African women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime,” says Dower. “Never think that this is something that will not happen to you!”

Behind the scenes/ untouched photo of the campaign

Take preventative steps to protect your health, and in the event you discover something is not quite right, get treatment as soon as possible. And when we stand together with women in our lives who are battling breast cancer, our support makes a huge difference to their lives.