| > | | | | being breastaware. Especially when breast cancer |
| A brief guide to recognising breast cancer. | | | | is the secondmost common cancer in the UK with |
| The term breast cancer actually refers to a | | | | over 41,000 newcases diagnosed every year. |
| largefamily of cancers that can develop in any | | | | How to be Breast-aware:Women need to know |
| part of thebreast tissue. The most common | | | | what their own breasts feel like.Breasts do |
| types of breast cancerstart in the glandular tissue | | | | change, not only during your life, but alsoduring |
| - and the most common ofall, in the ducts. To put | | | | the menstrual cycle. You need to know |
| it very simply - Our bodies are made up ofcells. | | | | yourboobs. This means feeling them and checking |
| Normally, cells reproduce themselves bydividing in | | | | theirappearance in a mirror. It’s not just |
| a regular, orderly fashion so that growthand repair | | | | lumps that canbe a problem, but also dimple-like |
| of body tissues can take place. However, disease | | | | indents in thebreast. Thanks to earlier detection |
| can cause cells to form abnormallyand, if left, can | | | | and improved treatment,breast cancer death |
| lead to cancer. Breast cancer canalso spread to | | | | rates in the UK have fallen by afifth in the last ten |
| other parts of the body, travellingthrough the | | | | years. It is important to be breast-aware and you |
| blood and the lymphatic system, in somecases | | | | shouldtell your doctor if you notice any changes in |
| enabling the cancer to return once treated. | | | | the lookor feel of a breast. Be sure to attend |
| Thespreading of the cancer leads to secondary | | | | breastscreenings whenever you are invited. You |
| cancer. Inbreast cancer, the spread is most often | | | | can still askfor breast screening after the age of |
| to the bones,lungs or liver. The original (or | | | | 70, just phoneor write to your local breast |
| primary) cancer is inthe breast. The secondary | | | | screening unit or GP. Remember it's not just you |
| cancer is still breastcancer, but it has invaded a | | | | who may get to know yourboobs, your lover also |
| different part of thebody and become established | | | | knows your breasts very welltoo. Teach him to |
| there. How scary does that sound? This is why it | | | | also be breast-aware. If you are worried about |
| isimportant for everyone to be breast aware. * | | | | having a family history ofbreast cancer, you can |
| Nearly 80% of all breast cancers are detected | | | | speak to your GP about areferral to a breast |
| bywomen who report unusual changes to their | | | | clinic. |
| doctor. Thisstatistic highlights the importance of | | | | |