Chairperson, I hereby give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the Council:
That the Council -
(1) thanks the Minister of Health, Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, for having a very successful National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which started on 1 October 2000;
(2) is aware that breast cancer is a scourge that affects all women regardless of race, creed or colour;
(3) notes that in South Africa the awareness of breast cancer is very low among black women, so symptoms are discovered late, leading to a high mortality rate among this group of women, far more than any other group of women;
(4) further notes that risk factors include hereditary factors, not having had any children or having one's first child in one's thirties, being over 50, having a high fat diet and prolonged use of hormone replacement therapy;
(5) also notes that unlike the USA and Britain, South Africa does not have a specific policy on screening for breast cancer using regular mammograms, but all South Africans are always encouraged by the department to do regular self-examinations and to seek medical help should a lump be found; and (6) considers actively participating in publicity campaigns against this traumatic disease.