This October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, representing 15% of all new cancer cases, and 30% of new cancer cases in females.*

There are around 56,000 new cases of breast cancer in women every year: that’s over 150 cases every day. In men, there were about 400 new breast cancer cases each year.*

From your perspective, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, you can take the opportunity to

• Be breast aware – check your breasts and know what is normal for you so that if any unusual change occurs, you will recognise it.
• Reduce your risk
  • Be active: Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on 5 or more days a week.
  • Limit alcohol: Alcohol is responsible for about 1 in 8 breast cancers in Ireland. The more you cut down on alcohol, the more you can reduce your risk of breast cancer.
  • Don’t smoke: Smoking causes at least 15 different types of cancer and it has been linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in younger, premenopausal women
  • Breastfeed your baby: Breastfeeding helps to protect mothers from breast cancer. The longer a woman breastfeeds her baby, the more she reduces her breast cancer risk.
• Ensure you are up to date with screening. Breast screening is used to help find breast cancer when it is too small to see or feel. When breast cancer is found early, it is easier to treat and there is a better chance of recovery. In  Northern Ireland, all women between the ages of 50 and 70 years are invited to take a mammogram every 3. More information is available here.
• For more information about screening in other regions, follow the relevant links. England, Scotland
• Get involved! Many organisations will be looking for people to volunteer, to organise an event or to donate in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

* Breast Cancer statistics - Cancer Research UK

You can find out more in the Cancer Health Topic - Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Charity, Breast Cancer Now are focusing on raising awareness around secondary breast cancer.

When breast cancer spreads around the body, it's called secondary breast cancer. It can be treated, but it currently can't be cured. Their research could help buy more time so people can live their lives to the fullest for as long as possible. 

Research on secondary breast cancer

There are an estimated 61,000 people in the UK who have been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. That’s why Breast Cancer Now fund research dedicated to giving those living with the disease, to give them more time to live their lives to the fullest. 

For more information and how to get involved, please click here.