BreastSens was established in October 2007 in response to the sheer aloneness I felt during my battle with breast cancer. I found that there were no Black women available or willing to speak to me about their experience of breast cancer experience from an African woman's perpective. Their relunctance to own their disease (even in private) was - and still is, driven by the stigma of breast loss within a unique socio-cultural context. Culture and gender inequality are still prevalent in Black communities, especially among the poor. Access to timely and quality medical care is largely determined by race and class in South Africa - and therefore the realities of a breast cancer diagnosis are different for women across the color spectrum - with more than 95% of Black South Africans being without medical insurance.
BreastSens is devoted to assisting in the global fight against cancer and BreastSens' key areas of focus are: anti-cancer stigma work, gender equality and patients' rights promotion among poor women attending Chris Hani Baragwanth Breast Clinic, in Diepkloof, Soweto.
Molebatsi, In remission (3yrs)
Vikela Amabele Am' - Protect My Breasts
Written by Administrator
I love me just the way I am. Breastless or lop-sided. My beauty is self defined. I am no prisoner of the social construct of what makes me an attractive women. My changed body form does not define the essence of the woman I am.
by Dr. Karin Mervis (37) mother and wife - On 16th August 2007 I underwent a bilateral mastectomy-voluntarily. Many commented how brave I was. It was not so much a brave decision I took but rather in my mind the only sensible thing to do...;
By Nana Kgosidintsi - That Tuesday in April, started out like any other unremarkable spring day in Tunis, had it not been for the text message I still can’t erase...
by Susan B. Markisz.I met Phyllis shortly after her diagnosis of breast cancer in 1993. Her sense of humor was evident even in those first dark moments. "I'd better slow down," she said, laughing through her tears.
By Molebatsi Pooe-Shongwe -Meet Lucky an attractive 23 year old diagnosed with breast cancer last October. Hers is the new face of the disease - young and Black. The incidence of the disease is growing exponentially among women under 35 which is cause for grave concern. Unfortunately, there are no current statistics to chart how grave the pandemic is but doctors confirm that the face of the disease has certainly changed significantly over the past 5 years. (The current CANSA breast cancer statistics were compiled in 1999)
by Natalie Jones - “I still have sand in my shoes and I can’t shake the thought of you”, or rather them. I kick my shoes off, but can not shake the thought of them and their last trip to the Coast.
By Molebatsi Pooe-Shongwe - She has died. Another life lost to treacherous breast cancer. An awesome, ambitious, gregarious, intelligent, strong-willed and vivacious sistah – felled at her prime. Friends and family left in poignant grief caused by her sudden yet expected death.
By: Maarten Jongmans. My mother's life has always been dedicated and committed to my sister, brother and I. All she cared about related to us - and HER HUSBAND. She does not have other interests or passions and as she never was into individualism, self-centredness, SELFISHNESS...
By Sinenhlanhla & Sanele Ndimande - It all started on a Saturday afternoon in November 2007 while watching DVDs at home, recalls Sinenhlahla ('Sine) Ndimande, 29 years old. I felt pain on my left breast but I thought nothing further of it. On Monday, she continues, a small voice told me that there probably was more to the pain, I worried for a minute but brushed it off again, thinking it was yet another of the abscesses that I am prone to. A week later, things were different. My husband Sanele and I embarked on a new journey. The beginning of our life with breast cancer.
I noted with great irony that the Harley Davidson brand was unwittingly dragged into a negative front page story in yesterday’s edition of The Star: HARLEY DAVIDSON bikes, a live band and plenty of booze. ADD Julius Malema then you have a potent and heady mix. The same is about to happen with Harley Davidson’s association with the Journey of Hope breast cancer ride.
BreastSens Joins "16 Days Of No Violence Against Women And Children" Campaign
BreastSens in association with Sho- Sho- Lo- Za Cause Marketing has embarked on a national tour for NEDBANK educating women on their rights under the Domestic Violence Act - as part of the "16 Days of Activism Campaign." Click for details
Your Health & Legal Rights
Most patients often feel disempowered and voiceless when it comes to their rights as health care consumers. Click here for the Patients' Rights Charter as adopted bythe Health Professionals Council Of South Africa (HPCSA) .
Touring Townships
Molebatsi went on a national road trip to teach about breast health & reached 1 200 women. Read further
BreastSens' Supporters & Partners
Our Shared Vision: "Making Cancer A Priority By 2020"
Our Sponsors
Check Yourself
Early detection increases your chances of surviving breast cancer. Let us show you how to do a breast self-examination. Click here to watch the video.
Living with breast cancer can be a lonely experience. Become a member
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illness, their care givers and survivors
BreastSens in association with Sho- Sho- Lo- Za Cause Marketing has embarked on a national tour for NEDBANK educating women on their rights under the Domestic Violence Act - as part of the "16 Days of Activism Campaign." 
She has died. Another life lost to treacherous breast cancer. An awesome, ambitious, gregarious, intelligent, strong-willed and vivacious sistah – felled at her prime. Friends and family left in poignant grief caused by her sudden yet expected death.
