Macmillan Urge Vigilence

Macmillan Breast Care Nurses are uniting during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month to call on women to ‘check and double check’ their breasts for signs of breast cancer.  Macmillan is urging women to be more aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer because an early diagnosis can help save lives. Women should check for any changes to the size, shape or feel of their breasts and know what is normal for them.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, with 41,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the UK. More women than ever are surviving breast cancer, and deaths have fallen to around 12,000 each year. A woman’s lifetime risk of breast cancer, at any age, is one in nine.

Charmaine Case, Macmillan Breast Care Nurse at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, says, “We are urging women to get into the routine of regularly checking their breast because the earlier they notice something is different, the more can be done to help them. If they are concerned, they should visit their GP as soon as possible.”

Macmillan Cancer Support’s services include over 250 specially trained breast cancer nurses who support women when they are first diagnosed with breast cancer and during their illness. They help women to make decisions about their treatment, even helping some women come to terms with a mastectomy or reconstruction.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Macmillan is also urging cancer patients to call the CancerLine on 0808 808 2020 or log on to: www.macmillan.org.uk to get information, advice or to find out about Macmillan nurses.

Breast Cancer Check points include:
–        examine your breasts regularly
–        get to know their normal look and feel
–        look out for any lumps, dimpling, thickening or change in shape and size
–        attend free breast screening if you are between 50 -70 years old
–        if you notice any changes – contact your GP straight away