Cancer Month, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) hosted

their annual Pink Walk at the facility last Friday.

Under

the theme #PitchUpInPink an estimated 400 participants, clad in pink,

took part in the 3km walk around the hospital in efforts to raise greater

awareness around the disease.

Speaking of the significance of the

initiative, hospital CEO, Gladys Bogoshi said: Today, is truly a monumental day

for us as a hospital. After hosting the Pink Walk for the past

three years, I can gladly say that we are growing significantly in driving the

message to the public.

This

year, our emphasis is on early detection as diagnosis of breast cancer breeds a

far higher chance of a positive outcome. The aim is to contribute

towards a quicker diagnosis, through

awareness and education. And added purpose of the day, is to

appeal to our male counterparts to also start being mindful of the disease as

its also prevalent in men, she added.

For breast cancer

survivor, Phindile Ndlovu (65) the walk personified her own personal journey

with the disease. The pensioner was diagnosed with breast cancer

in 2014 after she confesses to not paying attention to a reoccurring lump on her

right breast.

I wish to encourage

all; young and old, to test themselves regularly for any irregularities and

lumps on their breasts to detect a looming cancer in time for medical

intervention. I’ve had an extensive

battle with the disease, as a result of ignoring the symptoms six years ago but

glad it was early stages and managed to undergo laser treatment in the nick of

time. I dedicate my walk today to all those affected by the

disease, said the pensioner.

The

walk was in partnership with Cricket South Africa, AfriSam, Momentum, Sun

International, Imperial, Estee Lauder, The Star newspaper and Unjani

Clinic.

All

proceeds from the Pink Walk will go towards the

hospital’s Breast Clinic.

The

CMJAH Breast Clinic is a surgical clinic that provides a specialised breast

service to various hospitals and primary healthcare clinics within the Gauteng

province’s referral cluster and diagnoses more than 350 new breast

cancer cases a year.

Source: Gauteng Province