Keep yourself save
Thursday 01 October 2009
Breast cancer has become the most common cancer in the UK and with 46,000 people being diagnosed every year, sadly all of us are likely to be affected by the disease at some point in our lives.
The first Breast Cancer Awareness activities in the UK took place back in 1994, and since then October has become the months to raise funds and draw attention to this important matter.
Shockingly, a survey by Breakthrough Breast Cancer has revealed that of the 2,000 women polled, only 35% regularly check their breasts for any abnormalities.
23% admitted they rarely or never do the straight-forward touch-test, mainly because they forget to do so or because they don’t know how to do it.
With the help of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Closer has compiled an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide on how to be more “breast aware” – it only takes a few minutes and could save a life, so make sure you pass the information on to family and friends!
Follow these three easy steps:
* Make yourself familiar with your breasts. What do they look and feel like? How do they change throughout your monthly cycle? The better you know your body, the easier it will be for you to notice anything abnormal.
* Touch your breasts and look out for any changes in texture and/or shape. Make sure you don’t forget to examine the glands in your armpits.
* Check anything unusual with your doctor. Talk to friends and family if you are worried or get more information on the subject at www.touchlookcheck.org.uk
But it’s not only lumps in your breast tissue that you should look out for. Here is a list of other, lesser-known symptoms of breast cancer:
* Changes in size or shape, for example one breast might grow bigger than the other.
* Changes in skin texture – such as puckering or dimpling of the skin
* Appearance or direction of nipple – e.g. one nipple might become inverted
* Discharge – one or both nipples might discharge a blood-stained liquid
* Rash or crusting of the nipple or surrounding area
* Lump in the breast or armpit
* Lumpy area or unusual thickening of breast tissue that doesn’t go away after your period
* Pain in part of the breast or armpit that is unrelated to periods
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, make sure you speak to your GP as soon as possible. But don’t panic – nine out of ten breast lumps are non-cancerous.
For more information please visit www.breastcancer.org or www.cancerresearchuk.org/breastcancer/