BREAST CANCER Objectives for this session Define breast

BREAST CANCER

Objectives for this session Define breast cancer Learn the facts about: ◦ Who gets breast cancer ◦ Why people get breast cancer (risk factors) ◦ The symptoms of breast cancer ◦ How breast cancer is treated Learn how to examine breasts

Quiz time – True or False If breast cancer runs in your family, you will definitely get it. True or false?

Men can get breast cancer. True or false?

Theres nothing you can do to lower your risk of breast cancer. True or false?

Antiperspirants can cause breast cancer. True or false?

Most breast lumps aren’t cancer. True or false?

Breast cancer only occurs in elderly women. True or false?

What is breast cancer ? Most common type of cancer in UK Cancer in the ducts of the breasts Or in the cells that line the ducts

Who gets breast cancer? • Mostly women, but men CAN get it • Most breast cancer occurs in those over the age of 50

Why people get breast cancer An individual’s chance of developing a disease is increased by risk factors… RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER: • • • Being female Age > 50 years old Never having children or having first child age > 30 years old Taking the Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill or Hormone Replacement Therapy Obesity (especially as you get older) Starting your periods early and going through the menopause late Drinking large amounts of alcohol Smoking Radiation to chest (e. g. During a chest X-Ray) Genetics

Symptoms of Breast Cancer ØLUMP ØChanges in the nipple ØLiquid or pus coming out of the nipple ØSkin changes, e. g. Change in the way the skin looks or feels ØThese symptoms DO NOT = BREAST CANCER ØLots of conditions can cause these symptoms that are not cancer (benign) or could be normal changes in the breast due to menstrual cycle (periods)

What to look for…

Self examination In order to know what is abnormal, it is very important to know what is normal for you Everyones breasts feel and look different! So it is important to check your own breasts! This is known as a breast self-examination and it takes less than 5 minutes

5 steps of a breast self examination

Number one 1. LOOK at your breasts in the mirror with your hands on your hips: Should be looking for any abnormality/change in: Size, shape, colour: Are they normal for you? Dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin Nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple Redness, soreness, rash or swelling

Number two and three 2. Now raise your hands above your head and LOOK for the same changes in step one 3. Whilst at the mirror LOOK for any signs of fluid coming out of your nipples: Watery, milky, yellow fluid or blood

Number four 4. Feel your breasts whilst standing up. Use your right hand to feel your left breast and vice versa. Use a firm smooth touch with the first few pads of your fingers. Using a circular motion ensure you cover the entire breast from top to bottom and side to side Make sure you feel the TAIL OF THE BREAST

Number five 5. Finally feel your breasts whilst lying down. Cover the entire breast using the same movements described in step 4.

1 2 3 LOOK with hands on hips LOOK with hands raised above head LOOK at your nipples FEEL both breasts while STANDING UP FEEL both breasts while LYING DOWN 4 5

What treatment options are there? Surgery ◦ Remove just the cancer ◦ Remove whole breast with or without a breast implant Radiotherapy Chemotherapy Medications to stop it spreading or coming back (hormonal treatments)

What to do… Examine your breasts ONCE A MONTH. Like we have said before, breast cancer can affect young women too so you’re never too early to start checking your breasts and it’s good to get into the routine now! If you find any changes from your previous self check go and see your GP

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