2023-10-04 09:06:00
While getting dressed in the morning, Nadja Kapeller, then 35, accidentally discovered a lump in her left breast. With the size of a walnut, it was actually impossible not to feel the tumor – if someone had felt it. “I didn’t realize at the time how important self-examination was. Until then, not a single gynecologist had ever examined my breasts or made me aware of the importance of examining my breasts regularly,” says the native of Carinthia. That’s exactly what she wants to change and that’s why the media designer gives prevention and touch seminars for the cancer charity. On Monday, October 9th and Thursday, October 19th, she will be at the Braunau Hospital and Helpfau-Uttendorf respectively.
First mammography, then biopsy and 35 days later the diagnosis: triple-negative breast cancer with very rapid, 90 percent growth. A huge shock for the mother of a then three-year-old son. Fortunately, the six months of chemotherapy were successful and Kapeller has been cancer-free for several years. What remains is an unpleasant feeling of dangerous ignorance. “I knew so little. If I had been more educated, I probably would have known that you should feel your breasts from the age of 17. “My goal is to make breast self-examinations as normal as brushing your teeth,” says the 40-year-old Upper Austrian by choice, because the earlier breast cancer is discovered, the better the chances of recovery. In addition to self-examination, mammography and the annual palpation examination by a gynecologist are essential as important early detection examinations.
Breast cancer, the most common cancer in women
One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Austria. Early detection and new treatments have led to a significantly higher cure rate,” says Primar Gottfried Hasenöhrl, head of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Braunau Hospital. The breast self-examination is so important because women can do it monthly and the woman gets to know her breast and can therefore react to changes at an early stage. Breast cancer is not always just this hard lump; breast cancer has many faces. Possible changes can be densities, but also retraction of the breast or nipple, peeling skin or secretion from the wart.
In her seminars, Kapeller repeatedly experiences that scanning is fraught with fear. “Many women don’t dare touch their breasts for fear of discovering a lump,” says the seminar leader. For premenopausal women, the ideal time to perform a breast self-exam is one week following menstruation begins. After menopause, the timing is not important; Kapeller advises choosing any day of the month, such as the first of the month.
Term
Prevention and touch seminar on breast self-examination together with the Cancer Aid and the Braunau Hospital on Monday, October 9th, at 5:30 p.m. (admission from 5 p.m.), in the auditorium (event hall on the first floor) of the Raiffeisenbank Braunau at Salzburger Straße 4. The same seminar, also with Nadja Kapeller, will be offered on Thursday, October 19th, at 7 p.m. in Helpfau-Uttendorf. The organizers are the VP women of the district. The seminar at Helpfauer Hof also takes place in collaboration with Krebshilfe. No registration is required and the seminar is free of charge (voluntary donation to cancer aid possible). On Tuesday, October 17th, 7 p.m., radiologist Rainer Fink will answer questions regarding breast cancer at a discussion at ZIMT Braunau. The self-help group following cancer will also introduce itself. The organizers are the SP women of the city of Braunau. Voluntary donations.
Author
Marina Mayrböck
Innviertel editorial team
Marina Mayrböck
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