breast cancer

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1:  How to do a breast self examination?
Q.2:  What time is best to do this?
Q.3:  What am I looking for?
Q.4:  What should I do if I notice any changes?
Q.5 : Who should I contact if I find a lump?
Q.6:  Does a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer?
Q.7:  What are the causes/risk factors for breast cancer being female?
Q.8:  Can you have a mammogram with an implant?
Q.9:  What is the significance of a family history and breast cancer?
Q.10: HRT and breast cancer?
Q.11: Why screen for breast cancer?
Q.12: What is a mammogram - is it painful?
Q.13: Why are mammograms not offered to younger women?
Q.14: What is breast cancer?
Q.15: Is breast feeding a protective factor?
Q.16: Can small-breasted women develop breast cancer?
Q.17: How long does it take to get the results of a mammogram from Action Cancer?

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Q.1:how to do a breast self examination?

A.1:

• Breast awareness is the concept of getting to know your own breasts and being able to recognise any changes that are new to you.
• There are two parts to breast awareness.
• The first is to look the second is to feel.

LOOK

• Undress to the waist and with your hands by your sides look carefully at your breasts in a mirror.
• Turning from side to side, look at one breast, then the other and also look at the under surface of each breast.
• Now raise you hands above your head. Look for changes in the size or shape of each breast in turn.
• Finally place you hands on your hips and press firmly inward, so that the muscles beneath your breast tighten.
• Once again look at one breast and then the other.

EXAMINE

You have probably noticed that your breasts change during your monthly cycle. With regular breast examination you will be able to distinguish normal changes in your breast from anything unusual.

HOW TO FEEL YOUR BREASTS

• Using soapy fingers in the bath or shower is often the easiest way to examine your breasts.
• Some women find it easier to examine their breasts lying down and others prefer sitting up.
• Just do it the same way each time.
• Use the pads of your fingers of one hand (not your fingertips) to examine your breast.
• Begin at the nipple and work in spiral movement outwards using firm, gentle pressure to cover the whole of the breast feeling right into the armpit.
• Do not squeeze or prod your breast.
• Do this first with your arm by you side and repeat with your arm raised and placed behind you head.
• By doing regular breast examination it will become easier to detect any unusual changes.

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Q.2: what time is best to do this?

A.2:

This is up to you. Many women find it useful to check once a month, ideally the week after your period. If you no longer have periods you could pick the first day of the month.

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Q.3: what am ilooking for?

A.3:

• Changes in size or shape of the breasts.

• Any puckering or dimpling of the skin.

• Any lumps or thickening of the breast, that are new to you.

• Changes in the colour of the breast or a rash around the nipple.

• Discharge or bleeding from the nipple.

• A nipple that changes or turns in on itself.

• Any changes in sensation particularly if new and one sided.

• Anything that is new to you.

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Q.4: what should i do if i notice any changes?

A.4:

Most changes are harmless but if you have noticed a lump or any unusual changes since your last examination do not delay, make sure you see a doctor as soon as possible.

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Q.5: who should i contact if i find a lump?

A.5:

Your family doctor or Action Cancer as soon as possible

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Q.6: does a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer?

A.6:

• Over 80% of breast lumps are benign (not cancer).

• Breast lumps are very common in pre-menopausal women and can come and go with the menstrual cycle.

• A doctor should see any unusual or persistent breast lump.

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Q.7: what are the causes/risk factors for breast cancer being female?

A.7:

• The incidence of breast cancer in the female population peaks in middle age and around the menopause age.

• The older the woman the higher the risk

• If there is a family history.

• The risk is greater in women who consume a high fat diet.

• Women with no children or having their first pregnancy after the age of 30 years.

• Commencing menstrual periods before the age of 11 years.

• Menopause occurring after the age of 55 years.

INFORMATION ON REDUCING RISKS

• Healthy living.

• Diet.

• Exercise.

• Eat a healthy diet.

• Aim to eat five portions of fruit and/or vegetables per day - it's easier than you think.

• A glass of fresh orange juice counts as one portion!

• Increase your intake of fibre by eating more wholemeal foods such as brown bread or brown rice - even baked beans!

• Reduce overall fat intake - cut down on cakes and sweets and have your favourite piece of fruit instead.

• Avoid adding more salt to food - it usually contains plenty.

• Drink more water and less fizzy drinks - try a glass in the morning and one with each meal or snack.

AVOID SMOKING

• Smoking contains thousands of chemicals which can cut the amount of oxygen that gets to the body's cells and damages different parts of the body causing cancer and other serious diseases.

• The chemical and tar in cigarettes stain a smoker's body inside and out creating yellowy-brown teeth and fingers.

• Their lungs and air passages become blackened leading to 'smokers cough' and other infections.

• Smoking also causes premature wrinkles, bad breath and smelly clothes! Smoking is addictive and most people who smoke want to give up but find it difficult. Their advice is - don't start.

TAKE EXERCISE

• A healthy body is frontline defence against many ailments and illnesses and it makes you feel better too - honest! It doesn't have to be boring or exhausting.

• 20-30 minutes of exercise 3 times per week is often all that you need.

• Exercise can be part of your daily routine - why not walk or cycle to school, take the stairs rather than the lift or out a bit more energy into everyday tasks or those boring household chores.

AVOID ALCOHOL

• Drinking can also be dangerous in the long term leading to serious illnesses.

• Most doctors recommend that adults should drink no more than two units of alcohol per day or fourteen units per week (a unit is equal to a glass of beer or wine - spirits are equal to 1 1/2 units). Any more than this could damage your health in the long term.

LOOK AFTER YOUR SKIN

• Exposing your skin to too much sun can lead to premature wrinkles and skin cancer.

• Rates of skin cancer are increasing but it can easily be avoided by taking care in the sun.
  
  You can do this by:

• Staying out the sun between 11am and 3pm.

• Wearing high factor (+15) sunscreens.

• Wearing protective clothing such as hats and t-shirts.

• Avoiding sunbeds.

• If you notice an increase in the size of a mole or it becomes irregular in size or shape or begins to bleed, ooze of feel itchy, you should make an appointment to see your GP.

BE BREAST AWARE

• Getting to know your body means getting to know your own breasts and what is normal for you.

• Breast cancer is very rare in women under 30 years so it is not something you should worry about - however it can be important to get into a routine of checking your breasts now so that you can learn to recognise anything unusual, as you get older.

• It only takes couple of minutes once a month, ideally one week after your period.

HAVE A CERVICAL SMEAR TEST

• A cervical smear test is used to detect early changes in the cervix before they become troublesome.

• It involves a small sample of cells being taken from he cervix (neck of the womb) and examined under the microscope for any abnormalities.

• It is recommended that every woman between the age of 20-65 years should have a cervical smear test.

• The test should be repeated every 3-5 years.

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Q.8: can you have a mammogram with an implant?

A.8:

Yes

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Q.9: what is the significance of a family history and breast cancer?

A.9:

Women with close relatives diagnosed with breast cancer prior to the menopause may be more at risk; mother or sister developing breast cancer before the age of 50, both mother and sister develop breast cancer, mother and sister developing breast cancer in both breasts.

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Q.10: HRT and breast cancer?

A.10:

There is no evidence that women on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) require more frequent mammograms than received through routine screening.

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Q.11: why screen for breast cancer?

A.11:

Screening mammograms and general 'breast awareness' are currently the best way for women over 45 to detect cancer at an early stage, which is why treatment can be more effective.

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Q.12: what is a mammogram - is it painful?

A.12:

• A mammogram is an x-ray, which uses a low dose of radiation to provide an image of your breast. It can detect most breast cancers at an early stage.

• A very small proportion of these cancers are not visible on x-ray so it is important for you to check your breasts once a month.

• Two flat surfaces will compress each breast for a few seconds.

• Compression is necessary to produce the best pictures.

• Some women do find this uncomfortable but it is not generally painful.

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Q.13: why are mammograms not offered to younger women?

A.13:

There is no firm evidence that younger women benefit from screening mammograph.

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Q.14: what is breast cancer?

A.14:

• Breast cancer, like other cancers, is a disease of the body's cells.

• Cancer begins with a change in cells, which increase in number to form a lump.

• If the cancers are not removed or controlled, the abnormal cells can spread and may eventually cause death.

• Most breast lumps are benign, which means they are non-cancerous and are usually harmless.

• Breast cancer generally arises in the cells that line the specialised breast tissue.

• Breast cancer can spread to the lymph glands, the bones and other parts of the body.

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Q.15: is breast feeding a protective factor?

A.15:

• No studies have shown that breast feeding causes breast cancer.

• Some studies have even suggested that breast feeding may reduce a woman's risk of developing the disease.

• However, studies are ongoing.

• A woman who breast feeds can still develop breast cancer.

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Q.16: can small-breasted women develop breast cancer?

A.16:

The amount of breast tissue a woman has does not affect her risk of developing breast cancer.

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Q.17: how long does it take to get the results of a mammogram from action cancer?

A.17:

In 2 to 3 weeks as the x-ray is sent to a consultant radiologist for the results

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