Be more breast aware during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Date: 29 September 2005

"Being diagnosed with breast cancer should no longer be viewed as a death sentence, with the advancements in the range of services and treatments available to us today."

That’s the view of one woman from Ayrshire who won her battle with breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease three years ago at the age of 38.

Now 41, Sally Hamilton, a Director of the Ayrshire Cancer Support charity, is encouraging other women in Ayrshire and Arran to attend breast screenings, be more breast aware and seek the support and help on offer to them.

After her breast cancer diagnosis in 2002, Sally had a mastectomy operation, which was followed by courses in chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Sally says that the support she received from her consultant, breast care nurses, Ayrshire Cancer Support and family and friends helped her to fight the disease.

She said: "After my breast care nurse told me about Ayrshire Cancer Support, I visited the centre and used some of the offered services, including group sessions.

"I am very passionate about my work with them as a director of the charity and I would advise people to come here at the start of their treatment for the support and care they can give in addition to your hospital treatments."

She urged women in Ayrshire and Arran who are diagnosed with breast cancer to take advantage of complementary therapies during and after their treatments.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran offers all women with breast cancer six free complementary reflexology and hypnotherapy treatments through Ayrshire Cancer Support.

Sceptical at first of complementary therapies, Sally was converted to their use after her own experiences.

She said: "I was offered the complementary treatments while I was undergoing my chemotherapy and radiotherapy but I chose to wait until I had finished my hospital treatments.

"Now I would encourage women to make full use of these therapies while they are having their hospital treatments as I think they could help with some of the possible side effects. I am now totally converted to their use and benefits when you are tired or weak from treatments."

Since being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, Sally admits that her views on the disease have changed.

She comments: "Before I had cancer I could hardly say the word, let alone talk about it. If I met someone or knew of someone who had cancer, I never knew what to say to them.

"I was always told having cancer was a death sentence and everyone was scared of it happening to them, but there have been so many changes and advancements in medicine that it needn’t be that way anymore. If you find a lump or are worried about any changes in your breasts, make an appointment to see your GP as soon as possible.

"We have to educate women to be breast aware and go for screenings as early detection of cancer can save lives. It’s every woman’s responsibility to be more aware of her breasts and to take care of herself."

To support Breast Cancer Awareness month, NHS Ayrshire & Arran is promoting breast awareness and advising women on what to do if they notice any changes in their breasts.
Being breast aware

To be breast aware, you have to know what is normal for your breasts and to be aware of any changes. These could be:

• Changes in size, shape or feel
• Change in outline (for example, a flattening of your breast)
• Any obvious lumps or thickening of your breasts
• Any puckering or dimpling of the skin
• Changes in the position of the nipple
• A rash, or discharge from the nipple
• Changes in sensation which are new to you, or in one breast only
• Continue to be breast aware and feel for changes in your breasts once a month, around the middle of your menstrual cycle.

While most changes to your breasts will not be related to cancer, if you are concerned about any changes you have noticed it is important that you arrange an early appointment with your GP.

Screening

If you are over the age of 50, you will be advised by the breast screening service to attend your local Breast Screening Clinic. At the clinic, you will have a mammogram examination (breast x-rays) which can detect changes in the breast at an even earlier stage.

What information is available in NHS Ayrshire & Arran?

In recent months, NHS Ayrshire & Arran has been working on new information methods for women who are concerned about breast cancer or who want to know about the disease and the services available to them if they are diagnosed with the disease.

A 15-minute DVD shows the breast x-ray (a mammogram) process to allay the fears of women who may be slightly afraid of coming for a screening or check up.

In addition to the DVD, we are launching an information booklet and our public website features a new breast screening section, giving women in Ayrshire and Arran all the information and support they may need.

There is also a video for use by women with a hearing or visual impairment or learning disability.

Women due to come to hospital for a screening appointment will find the information DVD and video helpful in preparing them for the actual process and the services available to them. The DVD and video can be borrowed from any local library or GP surgery and can be made available in other formats.

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