Breast cancer now affects one woman in 9 during her lifetime and although rare in men, accounts for around 250 cases each year in the United Kingdom. Despite greater awareness and screening being more widely available every week 730 new breast cancers are diagnosed and 250 women die from the disease. With figures like this there cannot be many people in the UK who do not know a breast cancer sufferer. Although greatly feared by women, developments in treatment and survival rates are improving; on average 74 per cent of women are still alive five years after diagnosis and surgery has moved away, where possible, from the radical mastectomy, opting for the less disfiguring lumpectomy. There can surely be few things more devastating to a woman than the thought of losing a breast. Reconstructive surgery and prosthetics have come a long way in recent years to help improve quality of life

The incidence of breast cancer has been increasing in the UK with the rate of increase faster in younger women; however, the cause of most breast cancers remains unknown although some schools of thought suggest a fatty diet may contribute.

When breast cancer strikes a family the whole of that family and extended family as well as friends are affected and in recognition of this excellent counselling and support groups are available. Regular self-examination is recommended for women and regular mammograms are offered to women over 50. Men also need to be aware that although this disease is not nearly so common in males, it does occur and as women are taught, any irregularity of the breast tissue or the nipple or lumps in the arm pit should be reported to the doctor. Like most cancers, the initial tumour is less likely to kill than metastases (spread of disease) to other organs. It is therefore very important that the cancer is diagnosed and treatment started early to help minimise the risk of this spread. There continue to be great strides made in developing treatments to tackle this disease but initially it is down to us individually to be vigilant, know our bodies and not be afraid to see the doctor when we feel something is wrong.


In the UK, all women between the ages of 50 and 69 are offered mammograms (breast x-rays) every three years as part of a national breast-screening programme. This aims to detect breast cancers early, so that there is a high chance of successful treatment.
Women between the ages of 40 and 50, who have a close relative with breast cancer, can discuss with their GP whether they should have a regular screening before the age of 50.
Mammography can detect changes in the breast tissue before they develop into a lump large enough to be felt with the fingers.
And the message to any woman who thinks she hasn’t the time to attend for a mammogram?
Too busy? Think again!