Health: Would you recognise all the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?

Early intervention doesn’t guarantee recovery from cancer, but it most certainly increases your odds and may well widen your treatment options. 

Cancer diagnosis is something that no-one ever wants to face but it is a harsh reality for around 45,000 people in Ireland each year, according to figures issued by the Irish Cancer Society.

Breast cancer - which can also affect men - is the most commonly found cancer in women, with an estimated 3,500 cases diagnosed each year, and 35 in men. It is the third most common cancer behind prostate cancer (around 3,800 cases each year) and various forms of skin cancer (more than 13,000 new cases per year).

There are things we can all - men and women - do now that could lead to a better outcome in the event of a breast cancer diagnosis.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there are numerous events and initiatives to help raise awareness and fund research into the development or improvement of treatments.

It is worth noting that research has found that people are often not as aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer as they believe. Understanding the significance of changes could have a huge impact on the outcome of a breast cancer diagnosis. 

We are all familiar with the much-repeated message - check your breasts regularly and know what is normal for you.

Symptoms

When we think of breast cancer detection, we tend to think of finding a lump. But there are a number of other symptoms. While they could be caused by something else, the advice for anyone, male or female, of any age, is to consult their GP if they experience even one of the following:

-A change in the size or shape of one breast

-A change in the skin, eg  puckering, dimpling or redness

-A change in the nipple shape or direction, like a pulled in or flattened nipple

-An unusual discharge (liquid) from one or both nipples

-A change on or near the nipple, a rash, flaky or crusted skin

-Swelling in the armpit or  collarbone 

-A lump, any size, or thickening in your breast

-Constant pain in one part of your breast or armpit

-Any change in how your breast normally looks and feels.

Checking Breasts

Carrying out a breast check might seem daunting, but it is all about understanding what is involved and establishing a routine. It is recommended to do it on the same day each month.

Breast Cancer Ireland has developed an app which includes a gentle monthly reminder. The app is called Breast Aware and it is free on iTunes and Android platforms.

-With the flats of your three middle fingers, check the entire breast and armpit area pressing down with light, medium, and firm pressure. Feel for any lump, thickening, hardened knot, or any other breast changes.

-Visually check using a mirror: Inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead, looking for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women’s breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.

-When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently covering the entire breast area and armpit. A good idea is to work in a clockwise motion from the nipple outwards in increasing circles. Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.

Self-examination plays an important part in detecting breast cancer. However, screening can detect cancer long before a lump can be felt, so it is very important to attend if you are eligible for BreastCheck. 

On saying that, screening is currently only offered to women over  50. But according to Breast Cancer Ireland, 23% (almost one in four) of new cases in Ireland each year occur in women aged between 20 and 50. Self-examination remains crucial to early detection, especially in younger women.

Support

The Irish Cancer Society has a lot of information about cancer, diagnosis and treatment, as well as details of practical supports on its website cancer.ie

It  operates a support helpline manned by volunteers who themselves have been through cancer treatment. Cancer nurses are also available for a chat. The helpline can can reached at 1800 200 700 or by emailing support@cancer.ie

The Irish Cancer Society's Daffodil Centres - including one in Letterkenny University Hospital - offer a safe place to chat with cancer nurses or volunteers for advice or just a listening ear.

Cancer Care West provides professional community-based practical and emotional support services, free of charge, to anyone affected by cancer of any kind. Practical and emotional support for patients and their families in Donegal and Galway include accommodation, counselling and much more. Further details can be found at cancercarewest.ie or by calling 091 540040 for information and support.

There are a number of ongoing fundraising campaigns to support breast cancer research and patients. 

Breast Cancer Ireland holds an annual raffle, as well as the Very Pink Run which takes place this October. To register or for more information, visit breastcancerireland.com. 

The Irish Cancer Society is encouraging people to host a Big Pink Breakfast. People can register at cancer.ie and gain access to tips, recipes and more. 

Cancer Care West is a great support to people in Donegal who are going through cancer treatment. The organisation welcomes fundraising via www.cancercarewest.ie  

There are many other worthy charities and organisations offering support and services locally and nationally. All support helps, but don’t forget the most important message this Breast Cancer Awareness Month - know your breasts, know the symptoms, know what is normal for you - and don’t put off getting checked if something doesn’t feel right.