October Means Time to be Breast Aware

October Means Time to be Breast Aware

Here at UK Health Radio we came across a great site the other day that lists all the awareness days for every month of the year.   The site highlights the fact that this month, October, is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, more than just Breast Cancer Awareness we are urged to get better overall breast awareness. How will you know something is wrong if you don't know what it usually feels like?

It’s true that we are often shy about discussing breast examination or going to the doctor with any concerns, maybe afraid of what we might hear?  However, surely it is better to suffer a few moments of embarrassment rather than have to endure more breast cancer treatment than is necessary, or to have the relief of your worst fears set aside when that lump turns out to be no more than cyst? Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to help us with breast cancer facts, information and early breast cancer detection.

Women in the over 50 age group are the most at risk from breast cancer, but if you are under 50 it is dangerous to assume that it won’t happen to you. Women under 50 and men too, can also develop Breast Cancer. Yes that’s right fellas, so any strange lumps or bumps in that area need to be seen by the doc. Regular self-examination is the best idea to be able to flag up, early, any changes, and for those women with larger breasts that are more difficult to examine, extra mammograms paid for privately might also give extra peace of mind. But for most people, simple self-examination costs nothing, takes hardly any time and could save your life.

Breast Cancer groups are always trying to keep Breast Awareness at the top of the agenda and I am sure that you have seen and may even have been part of some of the many events that take place throughout the year. There is the much heralded and very popular Race for Life in the summer, in which ladies often take part wearing their bras over their clothes.  This month, October, the breast cancer pink ribbons start to appear. The Breast Cancer Campaign site points out, however that ‘Wear it Pink’ is just one of the month's initiatives that takes place on the 28th October this year to raise awareness and funding for vital research but in a fun way.

If you want to get involved in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this October, make it your mission to ensure that you remember everything you learn – forever.  It might just make the difference between life and death for you or for someone you love.   Survival rates in the UK are increasing all the time and surgery is now often a lot less invasive than it used to be.  For further information go to:

www.breastcancercampaign.org    

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Amanda Thomas

UK Health Radio