A Pink Towel is Reminding Women to do their Breast Self-Exams

October 2025 – According to CANSA, 1 in 27  women in South Africa will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

This year, PEP is continuing their partnership with CANSA, building on last year’s Dry & Detect Towel Initiative with an important addition – for every pink towel sold, PEP will donate R1 to CANSA (please note: these are ordinary pink towels and not the towels that have BSE instructions)

“What makes this partnership special is that we are using something as simple as a pink towel to make an impact. A pink towel is the perfect reminder for women to do their breast-self-examinations, at a time when their tops are off,” says Jacqui Richards, Head of Brand at PEP.

Each towel includes a tag containing crucial information on conducting self-exams, along with a QR code that links to an educational microsite featuring further resources.

The towel serves as a gentle reminder that early detection of breast cancer can significantly improve survival rates.  Breast self-examinations can freely and easily be performed from the comfort of your own home and incorporated into your daily routine, like that moment when you get out of the shower and your top is already off.

Here are some CANSA approved steps you can follow to complete a breast self-exam:

1. In the mirror – check for any changes in the normal look and feel of your breasts, such as dimpling, size difference or nipple discharge. Inspect four ways: arms at sides; arms overhead; firmly pressing hands on hips and bending forward.
2. Lying down – lie on your back with a pillow under your right shoulder and your right hand under your head. With the three middle fingers of your left hand make small circular motions, follow an up and down pattern over the entire breast area, under the arms and up to the shoulder bone, pressing firmly. Repeat using right hand on left breast.
3. While bathing – with your right arm raised, check your right breast with a soapy left hand and fingers flat using the method described under ‘Lying down’. Repeat on the other side.

“At CANSA, we believe no woman should feel alone when it comes to her breast health,” says Lorraine Govender, CANSA National Manager: Health Programmes. “This partnership with PEP allows us to reach into homes across South Africa with a gentle, everyday prompt, a pink towel to remind women to check themselves monthly. Small habits often make the biggest difference. Together, we are not just raising awareness, we’re building a culture of ongoing care and early action.”

For more information and to empower yourself with knowledge as early detection can save lives, visit pepstores.com for CANSA approved steps.

Published: 19 October 2025 | Last Updated: 4 November 2025
Categories: Media Releases & News, Our Cause Related Marketing Partners, Women's Health