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The
Moving MakeUp
Report
Breast
cancer
is
the single most common cause of all deaths in women under
50 years of age in Britain. It is by far the most common type
of cancer in women, accounting for one in five of all cancers.
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.
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. |
Self Examination
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.
How to check your breasts in three easy steps:
1. 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.
2. 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, specially the armpit.
Repeat on the right side.
3. 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. |
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Make sure you aren't mislead by myths
Here
are a few of the most common ones:
Breast cancer can be caused by injuring
the breast
No. There is no evidence that
a knock or bump to the breast increases the risk of breast
cancer.
Smoking causes breast cancer
No. There is no doubt that smoking
causes lung cancer and other diseases, but to date there is
no evidence of a link between smoking and breast cancer.
Women with small breasts are less likely
to get breast cancer
No. Having small breasts does
not reduce the risk of getting breast cancer.
Breast screening prevents breast cancer
No. Breast screening aims to
find breast cancer earlier, it does not prevent breast cancer.
Breast cancer mainly occurs in women
aged between 30 and 50 years
No. Research shows 77 per cent
of breast cancer cases occur after the age of 50 years.
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Changes
to look out for:
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;
Discharge from one or both nipples;
Feel for a distinct lump rather like a pea that is different
from the breast's usual texture.
If you notice any changes, remember
- don't panic - nine out of ten breast lumps are NOT cancer,
but do see your doctor straight away.
Attend breast screening if you are eligible.
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| Moving
MakeUp
would
like to thank
The
Breast
Cancer Campaign
for help with this article.
If
you would like to make a donation
or find out more about the work of the BCC, see their
site at:
www.bcc-uk.org
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