Breast Awareness Month

Breast Awareness Month 2011


Every year in Ireland nearly 2,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Over the course of a lifetime, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer

In 2007, there were 2,463 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Ireland making it the most common invasive cancer in Irish women.

Advances in diagnosis and in treatment have seen an increase in survival from breast cancer for Irish women in recent years. In spite of this, breast cancer remains the biggest cause of death from cancer in women in Ireland.

Some of the known risk factors for breast cancer include:


• Older age


• Menstruating at an early age


• Older age at first birth or never having given birth


• A personal history of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease


• Treatment with radiation therapy to the breast/chest


• Breast tissue that is dense on a mammogram


• Taking hormones such as estrogen and progesterone


• Drinking alcoholic beverages


• A mother or sister with breast cancer


Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any new breast changes to a family doctor as soon as they are found.


These are the changes to look for and if you are in any doubt, visit your doctor:


• A lump or thickening which is different to the rest of the breast tissue


• Continuous pain in one part of the breast or armpit


• One breast becomes larger or lower


• A nipple becomes inverted or changes shape or position


• Skin changes including puckering or dimpling


• Swelling under the armpit or around the collarbone


• A rash on or around the nipple


• Discharge from one or both nipples


http://www.breastcancerireland.com/iopen24/the-facts-t-41.html

You should check your breasts once a month. Try and do this at the same time each month so you are aware of what is normal for you. If you notice any changes in the appearance of your breasts see your GP ASAP. Please see the link below to help you out.

http://vimeo.com/breakthroughbc/breastcheck

If you are aged 50-64 please partake in “Breast Check”. This is Government-funded programme providing free mammograms on an area-by-area basis every two years. Freephone 1800 45 45 55

Dr Gemma Bailey Bsc Hons Chiro