LIFESTYLE NEWS - Breast cancer is a very personal diagnosis, and the healing journey is unique to each individual. 

Come October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month gives us all a chance to offer thoughtful and practical support.

For well over a decade, the South African Mushroom Farmers’ Association (SAMFA) and Pick n Pay have collaborated in the Power of Pink campaign to raise funds for the Reach for Recovery (RFR) Ditto Project.

R1 from every pink punnet of mushrooms sold during October at PnP stores goes directly to the RFR programme, which provides low-income breast cancer survivors with reconstructive breast prostheses.

Losing a breast is devastating
These are important dignity and body image aids for women who have had to undergo mastectomies in South African state hospitals and have no medical aid to help with breast reconstruction.

The loss of a breast can be psychologically devastating. “It’s a very personal wound that often changes a woman’s perception of her femininity, self-worth and sense of belonging,” explains Stephné Jacobs, RFR National Chairperson.

The silicone breast moulds are colour, shape, size and even texture matched to each survivor and individually fitted by the dedicated and compassionate RFR volunteers.

RFR volunteers, all breast cancer survivors themselves, care compassionately
These women, all breast cancer survivors themselves, are also able to visit and support many more breast cancer patients in hospital, providing important information and care packages from the Power of Pink funds.

RFR provides support for over 5000 breast cancer patients a year, and fits more than 800 breast prostheses.

And while each breast cancer patient has a unique journey from diagnosis to recovery, there are some universal truths related to breast cancer.

According to a peer reviewed article from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in New York, “scientists continue to unravel the relationship between breast cancer and diet, and research continues to indicate that many of the foods and nutrients known to support overall health, such as vegetables and fibre, are also key for breast health. And powerfully among these are mushrooms!”

Clinical trials and observational studies supports the role that mushrooms may play
Clinical trials by The Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, California, linked fresh mushrooms consumption to lower breast cancer risk in 2010, with researchers indicating that eating at least one portion of white button mushrooms per day may lower breast cancer risk. They have since moved on to second phase trials, saying that “white button mushroom intake is also thought to improve our immune function to fight cancer.”

This is backed by a number of Asian observational studies which found “that mushroom intake may be inversely associated with risk of breast cancer.”

Mushrooms are potentially the most powerful food for preventing breast cancer.

Other studies have similar conclusions. In 2023, Canadian physician Dr Mary Scourboutakos, who additionally has a PhD in nutrition, wrote: “According to the literature, mushrooms are potentially the most powerful food for preventing breast cancer. A systematic review and meta-analysis combining data from 10 studies showed that every gram of mushrooms that’s eaten each day decreases risk for breast cancer by one percent.

“If you consider that a single mushroom is typically five grams, this suggests that even just taking a bite of a mushroom has an impact. If you look closely at the data, eating more and more mushrooms results in lower and lower risk.”

The magnifying glass of the Power of Pink campaign is Ubuntu
“While all this research has certainly been a ray of hope, ‘Ubuntu’ – a South African concept – was the magnifying glass that caused that ray of hope to make an active difference to South African survivors of breast cancer,” notes Stephné.

“It is through this concept that the leaders from SAMFA came together with diverse resources to form a solution. This compassionate and selfless solution allows survivors to regain their self-esteem, dignity and confidence after a mastectomy.”

“By partnering with Reach for Recovery, we are empowering others to benefit from the support and educational services they provide,” says SAMFA Chairperson, Ross Richardson. “It’s something every woman should have access to as we fight back against breast cancer and its traumatic aftermath.”

You can find more details on the Ditto Project at https://rebrand.ly/40c736.

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