October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is an annual campaign raising awareness around screening, treatment, and prevention of breast cancer. And every October, people all over the world show their support for those affected.

It is more common in women over 50, but it can affect younger women too.

Early detection of breast cancer can save lives, so it’s vital to have a breast screening when offered to you.

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. More information is available here.
• 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.

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