Another October has come to a close and so has the international Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the disease while gathering funds for research, treatments and diagnosis.
It is a worldwide health campaign that aims to promote screenings and breast checks. It reminds people, especially women of the importance of noticing changes in your body. The more often you check, the earlier breast cancer can be detected leading to faster treatment.
Breast Cancer Ireland says that ‘‘one in seven women will be diagnosed’’ with breast cancer in their lifetime. That means that every year there are ‘‘3,700 new cases of breast cancer’’ diagnosed in Ireland. They report that there are 730 related deaths every year with mortality rates reducing by two percent annually.
The disease is overlooked within men’s health and seen as a women’s health issue which just isn’t the case. This is why it’s important to remember that it’s not just women who can be diagnosed with breast cancer. According to Breast Cancer Ireland, one in 728 men will be diagnosed within their lifetime.
It is possible to reduce the risk of developing the disease by limiting alcohol consumption, a healthy diet and increasing exercise. However, this is not always possible and it’s important to remember that five to ten percent of breast cancer is hereditary.
The disease can affect everyone, whether it is yourself or a loved one. One student explained how her mother’s battle with breast cancer has impacted her, ‘‘since my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, it has been a big concern in my life’. ‘It is something we went through as a family’, she continued, ‘it changed our lives’.
She went on to explain how ‘life was normal and then suddenly everything was different. I was 10 and praying my mam would get better’.
She highlighted the importance of doing regular breast checks, stating that ‘it saved my mum’s life’’.
It is vital that everyone, especially women, know how to check their breasts and are made aware of the signs. If you notice even small changes from doing regular checks that can mean treatment can be more successful.
Some ways of checking your breasts at home are looking in the mirror for any signs or feeling around the breast area while lying down or in the shower.
There are different signs and symptoms that can be an indication for breast cancer. The Irish Cancer Society made a list to help identify the signs at home. They say you should take notice if there is a lump of any size on your breast including a thickening of skin around the armpit or breast area. If there is a change in size or shape of your breast such as one breast becoming larger that can also be a sign. A change in the skin of your breast such as dimpling or puckering could be a possible sign of breast cancer. You should contact your doctor if you find a breast abscess which can appear red and tender. Another sign of breast cancer is unusual discharge coming from your nipple such as blood or water. According to the Irish Cancer Society a sign is if you see a rash that has appeared on your nipple, or the skin has begun to flake around it. If you notice swelling in your armpit or your collarbone that can also be a sign of breast cancer.
For more information or support email supportline@irishcancer.ie.