PROTECT AGAINST BREAST CANCER
ONE in ten women in Ireland will get breast cancer at some stage in their lives. But consultant breast surgeon Terry Boyle, who works in St James’s Hospital and the Beacon Hospital in Dublin, says monthly examinations are key for women to detect any changes early.
‘What I tell my patients is that you should make a point of formally examining your breasts once every month, in the middle of your cycle,’ he says. ‘Before or after a shower, stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself with your hands by your sides, your hands on your hips and your hands on your head. Just decide whether your breasts look the same as they did the last time.
‘Physically you are looking for any changes in the size and shape of your breasts — any contour deformity or changes in the size and shape of the skin or any changes in the nipples. After that examine your breasts by palpating. If you do it every month you get used to what your breasts feel like. If something is unusual you will pick it up more quickly.’
Dr Boyle says it is important to go to your GP if you suspect something is unusual. ‘If you notice something you are not entirely happy with, you should never ignore it,’ he says.
‘You should always seek medical advice. It is more likely not to be cancer, but if you do detect something at an early stage, the treatments are very successful, an overwhelming number of women are treated successfully and are permanently cured.’
Although there is a long list of risk factors for breast cancer, many of them can’t be avoided, like growing older or having a child later in life. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
‘There are things that women can do to reduce their risk,’ Dr Boyle says. ‘You won’t be surprised to hear these include drinking in moderation, exercising and not smoking while having a healthy diet and not being overweight. ‘Not being overweight is really important. We know that part of the causation of breast cancers is the stimulation of breast tissues by female hormones, specifically oestrogen and progesterone. If a woman is overweight and has a high BMI, then fatty tissues in her body produce more female hormones. So being slim protects against breast cancer.’