October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – why sharing is caring
Australia’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month 1-31 October, creates awareness and opportunity for everyone to focus on breast cancer and its impact on those affected by the disease in our community.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among Australian women (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer), however with increased awareness, early detection and continued research, survival rates continue to improve in Australia with 89 out of every 100 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer now surviving five or more years beyond diagnosis.
Here are 5 points for raising breast awareness
- Early detection – it’s important for women of all ages to know what they can do to help early detection.
- Breast changes – knowing what’s normal for you will help you detect any breast changes or nipple changes; a new lump, change in size or shape, skin texture or unusual pain.
- Screenings – book a free breast screen through BreastScreen Australia. If you’re aged 50-74, you can get a free breast screening done every two years. Women aged 40-49 and 75 years and older, with no symptoms, are also eligible for free screening mammograms.
- Aim to reduce your risk factors – some of the most important risk factors cannot be changed such as ageing and genetics, however you can still take risk-reducing steps through making healthy lifestyle choices.
- Knowledge never goes out of fashion – Take the time this month to find out what you need to know about breast awareness and share this important information with your family, friends and colleagues.
Why sharing is caring
Early detection gives the best possible chance of survival so it’s important to spread awareness. Thanks to advances in breast cancer research, there are higher survival rates and people can maintain a positive quality of life at the stages diagnosis, treatment and after completion of treatment.
Support services are available for people and their loved ones to assist with coping with a cancer diagnosis or recovery following cancer. You can find resources and support service details by visiting Cancer Council and Breast Cancer Network Australia.