Women need to show their breasts more TLC was the result of a survey conducted by charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, to see how breast aware we are as a nation.
Nearly 41,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year, 47% of women are unaware how to check their breasts for the early warning signs. 93% are aware lumps are a warning sign, but remain unaware of other symptoms such as pain unrelated to periods.
Dr Rawlings of Breakthrough Breast Cancer recommends women follow the “Touch, Look, Check” message. “We want to dispel the myth that being breast aware means needing to follow a complicated routine, it doesn’t. It simply means getting to know your breasts by touching, looking and checking them often” by being aware of the usual shape and texture of their breasts women can, “Look for changes and if found check with their doctor. Remember that 9 out of 10 lumps are not cancerous”
The survey gave good news to women living in East Anglia, where 46% of women are a D-cup or more. Women in the South-East were the smallest with only 30% being D-cup or more. It showed women in the South-East are the least happy with their breasts showing size does matter to some, Scottish women are the happiest with theirs.
Eileen Bellamy (41) was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2004. After discovering a lump on her breast she sought help from her GP and went into hospital for testing. Following an ultrasound and biopsy, Eileen was told, she had cancer.
After a mastectomy and breast reconstruction in June, Eileen had intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She says “I probably annoyed the doctors by asking so many questions, I wanted to know everything good or bad. My cancer turned out to be grade 3 which meant it was aggressive and grew fast, if I’d known this at the time I may not have had the reconstruction so early”
In June Eileen was told the cancer had spread. She received help outside the clinic from Breast care nurses who put her in touch with women with similar problems, “It was good to speak to someone in a similar situation, who was still alive”
Eileen remembers in the short term she found it almost impossible to plan what she was going to do, in fear of the cancer killing her. She became resentful of those she considered to be “not very nice” “I don’t smoke, drink, do drugs or slap my kids about - why me?”
Almost two years on Eileen is trying to get her life back into order. She has check ups and takes medication, but is more positive about the future. “Life for months revolved around cancer, treatments and hospitals, it felt scary not having constant access to doctors anymore”
With the excellent work being carried out by Cancer researchers, a cure for breast cancer can hopefully be found. But until then the message is for women to “Touch, Look and Check”.
© Emma-Jane Williams
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