August is women’s month, and to celebrate healthy women and early detection of breast cancer, NPC CheckKnowPrevent launched an innovative sports bra to help.
South Africa (03 August 2022) – Early detection is key in fighting breast cancer, and this is done primarily through regular self-examinations. Non-profit company CheckKnowPrevent has launched an innovative sports bra that aids in early detection and will support community initiatives to promote regular examinations.
The special sports bra has a hidden inner lining to communicate how to correctly perform a self-breast examination, as well as what warning signs to look out for that could necessitate further examination by a professional.
“At CheckKnowPrevent, a local NPO, our mission is to ensure that women check their breasts regularly, know what warning signs to look out for, and prevent premature death by taking immediate action. It all starts, though, with that prompt to check. The idea emerged to leverage a garment worn daily by every woman to act as a prompt for regular self-examination. Our unique and innovative concept is a Sports Bra that performs as well as the best on the market but has an added purpose and benefit.”
Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer worldwide. It’s a daunting fact that 1 in 26 South African women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. On a positive note, when diagnosed at Stage 1, the 5-year survival rate is high at 98% – at Stage 0, this rises to almost 100%. What this shows in no uncertain terms is that early detection is key to survival.
This means that an annual mammogram or a once-a-year reminder in Breast Cancer Awareness month to check your breasts is simply not enough. Breast examination needs to become part of your routine, with you performing a thorough self-examination at least every two weeks. Early detection can help reduce deaths from the disease and may limit the need for extensive treatment, which can cause substantial side effects and longer-term health issues.
“Often, we have found that women also do not know how to correctly examine their breasts.”
Cancer affects one in four South Africans, through the diagnosis of family, friends, colleagues or self. Currently, 1 in 8 women run the risk of developing some form of cancer, while research shows that cancer is predicted to rise in prevalence by 78% by 2030 in South Africa.
With all these stats at the heart of the fight, the CheckKnowPrevent team wanted to produce something that was not only life saving, but proudly South African. They are happy to share that the fashionable sports bra is manufactured in South Africa with pride.
“Production and sales of our bra will provide various benefits to the community beyond promoting early detection of breast cancer.”
The goal is to sell the bras to the greater public and then, through community projects, supply high school girls in grades 11 and 12 with well-fitting bras that are also educational. During these community drives the team will educate women on self-checking, dispel myths and ensure they are empowered with the facts about breast cancer.
“As a non-profit organisation, for every 5 bras we sell, we will donate 1 to a Grade 11 or 12 learner in need.”
The bra is being assessed by a South African oncologist who specialises in breast cancer so that it can be endorsed by the very professionals working to save women from breast cancer. The team believe that it is never too early to start educating young women about the signs of breast cancer.
The team honour the memory of their former brand ambassador, Velisa Sishuba, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 17 and lost her battle just 5 years later at the age of 22. Tiktok star Lia Botes-Primo has now signed on to help gain awareness for the NPO and reach as many young women as possible.
“Early detection of breast cancer will also lessen the burden on the public health system through less extensive and costly treatment.”
To learn more about the innovative bras, you can visit www.checkknowprevent.shop.
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