|
In Britain, breast cancer is the single most common
cause of all deaths in women under 50 years
of
age. It is by far the most common type of cancer in
women, accounting for one in five of all
cancers.
It can also, on occasion, occur in men.
Each
year 33,000 women are newly diagnosed with breast
cancer and, while on average over 60 per
cent are still alive five years later, about 13,400
women die each year. Britain has the highest
mortality rate in the
world. We need to understand why. Statistics cannot
begin to describe the impact that breast cancer has
on the lives of those women who have had it and on
their families, friends and colleagues.
One
in 11 women living to the age of 85 in the United
Kingdom will develop breast cancer in the course of
her life. Every week, 635 new breast cancers are diagnosed
and 260 women die from breast cancer. In women below
65, more years of life are lost from breast cancer
than coronary heart disease.
Although
80 per cent of all breast cancers occur in post-menopausal
women, approximately 7,000 pre-menopausal women are
diagnosed with breast cancer each year, of which 1,000
of those are between the ages of 35 and 39 years.
Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among ethnic
minority groups.
However,
the latest statistics do contain some good news, deaths
from breast cancer are falling, survival rates are
improving and there is the first sign of a fall in
the number of new cases of breast cancer.
<TOP>
Be
Breast Aware
It
is important to be Breast Aware, being Breast Aware
means knowing what is normal for you. It is important
that all women regularly check their breasts for any
changes or irregularities.
You
should check your breasts every month, the best time
is one week after the end of your period or on the
same day every month if you no longer have periods.
<TOP>
| 
|
Stand in front of the mirror with your hands
at your sides and look carefully at your breasts
to see if they look any different.
Check
again with your hands on hips, pressing the
shoulders and armpits forward.
Finally
clasp your hands behind your head and turn
from side to side to check that both nipples
move up and down about the same. |
|
While in the bath or shower, raise your left
arm and feel your left breast with the flat
of your right hand.
Starting from the outer top, press firmly
enough to feel the tissue underneath and move
in a circular motion.
When
you have completed a circle, move round one
inch and repeat circling, continuing this
cycle until you have checked the entire breast
including the nipple.
Also
check the area above the breast, especially
the armpit. Repeat on the right side. |
|
Lie
with a pillow under your left shoulder and raise your
left arm, placing it behind your head. Feel the entire
breast in the circular motion described in Step 2.
Repeat on the right side.
Changes
to look for are:
-
a
lump or swelling in the breast, armpit or arm
-
a
pain in the breast which is new for you
-
any
change in the shape or size of the breast or the
nipple
-
any
changes to the position or the colouring of the
nipple
-
dimpling,
denting, scaling or discolouration of the skin
-
feel
for a distinct lump rather like a pea that is
different from the breast's usual texture
-
Discharge
from one or both nipples
If you notice any changes, see your doctor. Remember
- 9 out of 10 breast lumps are NOT cancer. <TOP>
|
