Check Know Prevent, an NPO dedicated to breast health education and early detection, transformed a community fun walk hosted on Human Rights Day in Lwandle into a life-saving medical hub on Saturday (21 March).
Taking healthcare out of sterile clinics and into the vibrant energy of a community event was a deliberate strategy to break down barriers to access.
Pauline Basera, the organisation’s community development lead, said removing physical and psychological barriers is crucial to encouraging participation.
“Taking healthcare into a community setting makes health approachable, accessible and less intimidating than a clinical environment,” Basera explained.
“People are more open, more relaxed and more willing to engage.”
The strategy is clearly working. During the Lwandle activation, the team conducted 68 breast screenings, with five women identified as requiring urgent medical follow-up.
For many in the community, the biggest obstacle to health isn’t just a lack of clinics – it’s lack of accurate information.
Jenny de Oliveira, founder of Check Know Prevent, noted that fear and misinformation often prevent women from seeking help until it’s too late.
“Many believe breast cancer only affects older women, or that if there’s no pain, there’s no problem – both dangerous misconceptions,” De Oliveira explained.
“Fear also plays a big role, with many women avoiding checks altogether. Through education, we replace fear with understanding and confidence.”
The organisation is also expanding the conversation to include cervical cancer, which remains one of the most silent, yet aggressive cancers in local communities.
A check-up with Check Know Prevent isn’t just a clinical exam – it’s an educational lesson conducted in safe, respectful and supportive environments, where women learn to take ownership of their own bodies.
Key educational pillars include starting early by encouraging young women to begin self-checks from age, maintaining consistency through monthly checks specifically after menstruation, and developing symptom recognition skills by guiding individuals on exactly what to look and feel for.
“These basic checks are often the starting point of a much bigger health journey,” said De Oliveira.
“Early detection not only saves lives, but also reduces the emotional and financial burden on families and our already overburdened healthcare system.”
For the five women referred for further investigation, the journey doesn’t end at the screening tent. Check Know Prevent provides a roadmap for next steps, guiding individuals through referrals to clinics or hospitals.
“If anything concerning is identified, we guide individuals with care and support,” Basera added. “No-one is left to navigate this alone.”
The organisation’s work is fuelled by community parti-
cipation and corporate social responsibility. Check Know Prevent extended gratitude to corporate sponsors Virtual Resource and Lagoona, whose support makes these activations possible.
The Community Fun Walk was hosted by Ward 86 councillor, Xolani Diniso. “I would like to thank the organisers of the event for making our 5th Annual event a success, and to the people of Strand for showing up in support.” he noted.
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