Since its first edition, which was launched in 1993 by Evelyn Lauder, October has been Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to Cancer Research, breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. Every day, around 125 women and one man are diagnosed with the illness.
Unfortunately, the rates have been climbing over the past few years, stressing the importance of awareness of the cancer. It is thanks to initiatives like Breast Cancer Awareness Month that more research can be done on it, resulting in the NHS breast screening programme saving 1,400 lives each year in the UK.
Causes
Like most cancers, breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells appear and grow out of control, invading surrounding tissues and thus forming a malignant tumour. Its causes, however, are less known. Doctors are still puzzled as to what exactly causes it, but there are certain factors that can increase the risk of developing the cancer. Ageing is one of the most predominant factors, as 8 in 10 breast cancers are diagnosed in women aged 50 and over. This has to do with the use of female hormones, oestrogen in particular, after menopause, as it is believed that the longer you have high oestrogen levels, the higher your risk of getting breast cancer. Breast cancer can also have genetic origins. Firstly, the risk of breast cancer increases if your mother or sister have suffered from it. Secondly, having the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can also increase the risk. In fact, women with these genes have a 50% to 80% chance of getting breast cancer in their lifetime. These are genes you can either inherit, or they can be created as mutations during our lifetime because of substances we come into contact with that cause cancer, or because of mistakes cells make when copying their genetic code before dividing into two new cells.
Symptoms
As all cancers are easier to treat in their early stages, it is important to keep an eye out for its symptoms, which can include the following: change in texture – watch out for lumps or thickenings in the breast or underarm, even if they are painless; change in appearance – the skin on the breast may dimple, similar to cellulite; a change in shape or size; a turn-in of the nipple or a clear or bloody fluid that comes out of the nipple. It is important to check your breasts for these symptoms on a regular basis, or better yet, let your partner check them!
Diagnosis
If one or more of the symptoms occurs, or if there is a high risk, you may be advised to have an X-ray of the breast, or mammogram. Mammograms can detect lumps which are too small to be felt. If a lump has been detected, a biopsy follows. The biopsy will determine whether the tumour is malignant and if so, how far the cancer has progressed, which will then determine the treatment.
Treatment
In most cases, surgery is necessary to remove the malignant tumour, followed by radiation therapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells. You may also get chemotherapy or hormone therapy. If the cancer is widely spread, radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy can also be used to shrink the cancer before surgery to minimise incisions. Treatment depends on the severity (stage) of the cancer. Two widely known surgical procedures are lumpectomy (only the malignant cells are removed, keeping the breast intact, usually followed by radiation therapy) and mastectomy (removal of the entire breast, which may or may not be followed by radiation). Thanks to intensive research and improvement of the procedures the latter treatment is used less and less.
Prevention
Some factors that put men and women at risk for breast cancer cannot be controlled, but there are some things you can do to try and stay healthy, such as eating a varied diet, consisting of many fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Another thing you can do is be active. It is recommended that you try to get 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week. It has also been proven that excessive amounts of alcohol, especially after the menopause, can increase the risk, so limit your alcohol intake. All these elements will also help you keep your weight healthy, which contributes to minimising the risk. If there is a strong history of breast cancer in your family, inquire about genetic testing with your GP. A blood test can check for changes in the BRCA genes that may increase your chance of getting breast cancer. These tests, however, are in their early stages. The genetic fault cannot simply be found. A living relative with breast cancer will have to be tested first, and then the researchers look for that same gene fault in you. Keep in mind, though, that only five to ten per cent of new cases of the disease are due to inherited genetic factors. Jackie Harris, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Care, said: “When someone in your family is diagnosed with breast cancer, it can be extremely worrying. Family history is one of the top reasons for calls to our helpline and we often hear from people who are very anxious about their risk of developing breast cancer because a relative has been diagnosed. It is important to remember that the majority of cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year are not due to hereditary causes.”
Research and care
On a slightly brighter side, organisations like Cancer Research UK and Breast Cancer Care are doing a lot of things to prevent the illness by funding screenings, increasing public awareness, or providing care for those diagnosed with it. However, all research costs money. This is why Breast Cancer Awareness month is supported by quite a few companies.
The Pink Ribbon has become a symbol for Breast Cancer Awareness in the last couple of years. It all started out with Charlotte Hayley, a breast cancer survivor from the US, who handed out peach coloured ribbons raising awareness that a mere 5% of the healthcare budget was going to cancer research. She was then noticed by Evelyn Lauder (the then senior corporate vice president at Estee Lauder) and together they teamed up to create the pink ribbon.
Breast Cancer Care is very reasonable with what you get for your money. With just £5, one person can access the online chat forum and share experiences with other people affected by breast cancer at any time of the day or night.
There are numerous national events happening around the UK, and there will be people running for the charity in Cardiff’s half marathon on 19th October.
On Wednesday 1st October, the charity ran a fashion show at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. All of the 23 catwalk models either had or are living with breast cancer, and live and silent auctions were run to raise money for Breast Cancer Care. Prizes were donated by big names such as Aston Martin Lagonda Limited, Chanel, Virgin, Prada and Harvey Nichols.
The official In the Pink Day is on Friday 24th October, and you can get involved by holding a pink-themed day – have a pink quiz, pink sports day or have a girls’ night in! In the Pink is being sponsored by Sony’s Girls Night In DVD and CD range- pick up titles such as Made of Honour, 50 First Dates and Maid in Manhattan, with all proceeds going to the charity.
Throughout October, Selfridges is turning pink in aid of Breast Cancer Care. Pinkridges products have been available since September and will be in stores until 15th October, with plenty of items from scarves to greetings cards. The store has also run an online auction of celeb gear to raise money, selling off Liam Gallagher’s guitar and Kate Moss’s high heels, amongst other items.
The most noticeable action for increasing awareness comes from www.pinkforoctober.org. Basically, you sign up to them, turn your website pink in some way for the month of October, and they mention you on their website. Join them for free publicity and increased awareness of breast cancer!
If you feel inspired to help other people, and have some free time on your hands, why not organise a fundraising event yourself this October? Do something drastic all by yourself, and get your friends and family to sponsor you through justgiving.com, or organise a massive pink event (visit wearitpink.co.uk for more inspiration) and raise some money!
