Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, honour the millions of lives affected by breast cancer and reaffirm our global commitment to equitable access to care and improved survival for all. There is no one specific theme for Breast Cancer Awareness Week and each country or organisation tends to focus on their own theme.
WHO: Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters
This year, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) theme is: Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters. This theme has been chosen because every breast cancer diagnosis is personal. Behind every diagnosis is a story — of courage, resilience, and hope. This theme reminds us that breast cancer touches the lives of women and their families around the world differently, and that every journey deserves compassion, dignity, and support. This year’s theme recognizes the diversity of experiences and reinforces the need for compassionate, timely and quality care for all – regardless of geography, income or background. Click here to find out more about the WHO theme.
Breast Cancer UK: Diet & Alcohol
Breast Cancer UK’s theme looks at how improving your diet and avoiding alcohol can reduce your risk of breast cancer. This theme has been chosen because changing what you eat and drink can make a difference to your risk of breast cancer. Prevention starts with everyday choices. We want to empower you with clear, actionable prevention strategies.
- In the UK it is estimated that 8% (around 4,400 out of 56,000) of female breast cancer cases are linked to alcohol consumption.
- A diet high in fruit and vegetables (especially non-starchy vegetables and foods high in carotenoids) helps reduce breast cancer risk.
- Excess weight increases the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women by up to 30%.
Click here to find out more about the Breast Cancer UK theme.
Breast Screening
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50, but younger women can also get breast cancer. About one in seven women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. There’s a good chance of recovery if it’s detected in its early stages. For this reason, it’s vital that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always get any changes examined by their GP.
Breast screening is currently offered at 3-yearly intervals to women aged from 50 until their 71st birthday. Breast screening aims to find breast cancer in the early stage, before there are any symptoms. To do this, a mammogram is taken of each breast. Routine breast screening is most effective if you attend your screening appointments when invited every three years. To find out more about the Gateshead Breast Screening Services, which covers Gateshead, Durham, South Tyneside, Sunderland and Chester-Le-Street, click here to visit their website.
