Every 3 hours a woman in Ireland is
diagnosed with breast cancer. In this week’s Health Blog I give some facts and figures about breast cancer which
is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer. More than 2000 new cases of
breast cancer are diagnosed in Ireland each year. Irish women have a 1 in 12
chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Only about five to ten
per cent of breast cancers are believed to have a family link. The risk of developing breast
cancer increases with age. Approximately 80%of breast cancers occur in women
over 50 years. Around 14 men develop breast
cancer in Ireland each year.
Breast Cancer is the
second most common cancer in Ireland. Early diagnosis is a key to surviving breast
cancer. If you do
notice any change in your breasts, see
your GP as soon as possible.
9 out of 10 suspicious lumps are not cancerous. Many women over 40 have calcium deposits
(calcifications) in their breasts, and most of them are benign. Pain isn’t
usually a sign of breast cancer.
If you have pain in one or both breasts, rest assured it’s
probably due to hormonal changes, a benign cyst, a ligament strain or another
condition; however it is important to get unexplained pain checked by your GP. Don’t worry that
you may be making an unnecessary fuss. More common warning signs of breast cancer
include a palpable lump, a change in the size or shape of the breast, puckering
of the skin, nipple changes (like scaling or discharge), or increased warmth. A
mammogram (X-ray of the breast) is the most common way to check for breast
cancer. 80.6% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer survive
for 5 years or longer; early detection is the key to survival.
Importance
of self-checks
Self-checks are vitally
important; 74% of Irish women with breast cancer discovered the lump
themselves. It’s good to do them at the same time every month. What
self-exams do is help you become familiar with what’s “normal” for your
breasts. So when something’s off, you’ll know and can bring it to your doctor’s
attention. After all, you know your body better than any doctor does.
What
happens if my GP sends me for a breast check?
Your GP
will refer you to a specialist breast clinic in a hospital if he/she has any
concern about your symptoms; for example if you have a lump in your breast. At
the hospital, you may have triple assessment. Triple assessment uses three ways
used to assess your breasts. It starts with the doctor taking a medical history
or list of any health problems you have had in the past and then examining your
breasts and underarms. Next you may be sent on to the X-ray department for the
next step which may be a mammogram (x-ray of the breast) or an Ultrasound scan
or both. Finally a biopsy which may be a fine needle test or core biopsy. If
you do not have a lump you may not need full triple assessment.
BreastCheck
Screening Programme
BreastCheck is a programme
funded by the Government which provides
breast screening and allows women aged 50 to 64 to get a free mammogram on an
area-by-area manner every two years. BreastCheck reduces deaths from breast
cancer by finding and treating the disease at an early stage. Screening
has been proven to reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer, as the disease is very treatable if detected early. BreastCheck invites women aged 50 to
64 for a free mammogram on an area by area basis every two years. In order to be able to invite women in
the 50 to 64 age group, BreastCheck has a register of women eligible for
screening but there are times when your details could be missed. If you
haven’t got an invitation you can register for BreastCheck by calling freephone
1800 45 45 55.
The Breast Check website
(www.breastcheck.ie) has details of screening locations
in your area. Breast Check screenings are life-saving so don’t delay getting
yours
Some
quick tips on Breast Cancer Prevention
Active women are less likely to develop and
die from breast cancer. A Recent American study suggests that women with high
aerobic fitness levels have a 55% lower chance of dying from breast cancer than
their less-fit peers. So get moving! Having two or more drinks a day increases
breast cancer risk by about 25%.
Embrace a diet high in vegetables and fruit and low
in sugared drinks, refined carbohydrates and fatty foods. Stop smoking, smoking
is associated with increased risk of breast cancer in some women. Growing evidence suggests that getting enough of the B vitamin folate (in
leafy green vegetables, beans and fortified cereals) may help mitigate the
increased cancer risk associated with drinking alcohol. Being overweight,
especially after menopause increases your breast cancer risk. So if
you’re overweight, you have higher amounts of circulating oestrogen, which
could stimulate breast cancer growth.
Even losing a few pounds can reduce your risk
significantly. Breast-feed your babies for as
long as possible. Women who breast-feed
their babies for at least a year in total have a reduced risk of developing
breast cancer later. For more information, call the National Cancer
Helpline at 1800 200 700 (Monday to Friday)
Whelehans Pharmacy, 38
Pearse St, Mullingar (opposite the Greville Arms Hotel). Tel 04493 34591. Web. www.whelehans.ie
