This Bra is Designed to Help with Early Breast Cancer Detection
When it comes to beating breast cancer, we all know the importance of early detection. Performing regular breast checks on yourself is super important, but we’re all guilty of forgetting to examine ourselves often enough. Fortunately, CheckKnowPrevent has come up with a way to help women keep ‘abreast’ with their self-examinations. Say hello to the world’s first bra designed to help with early breast cancer detection.
This top-quality sports bra promotes early detection of breast cancer by using its 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,” says Debbie Gebhardt, CEO of CheckKnowPrevent.
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 tells us 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 2 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 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.
Premature – and potentially avoidable – death from cancer in developing countries is not only a human tragedy, but also an economic one in the order of tens of billions of dollars. $46.3bn is lost to productivity due to cancer in developing countries (BRICS) annually
“Our comfortable yet supportive sports bra features removable padding, and a stylish design with subtle gathering in the front. The outer fabric is made from an 85% polyester and 15% spandex blend, while the inner is 95% polyester and 5% spandex for added support,” says Gebhardt.
This garment can be worn as a supportive workout sports bra, or a comfortable, fashionable racer-back cropped tank top. Designed and manufactured in South Africa, the production and sales of the CheckKnowPrevent bra will provide various benefits to the community beyond promoting early detection of breast cancer. (see diagram)
“In addition to promoting the bra online, we will also attend company wellness days and have a presence at large events, offering breast examinations by trained professionals and measurements by a bra expert. These paid events and the sales of the bras will enable us to meet the aims of our organisation, which is to provide bras to Grade 11 and 12 girls in need (1 donated for every 5 sold), and host free education drives at schools and community centres in disadvantaged areas to 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,” says Gebhardt.
“It is never too early to learn about breast cancer, as it is affecting increasingly younger women. Our former brand ambassador, Velisa Sishuba, was diagnosed at 17 and sadly lost the fight at 22. We are also delighted that a well-known SA breast oncologist, who believes our concept is truly innovative and much-needed – is currently assessing the bra for endorsement. Early detection of breast cancer will also lessen the burden on the public health system through less extensive and costly treatment,” she says.
This amazing sports bra is available in a range of colours and fabric options and can be bought online from the CheckKnowPrevent shop at R399 per bra.
