Cancer Council WA’s Wheatbelt Regional Education Officer, Melissa Pickering and Cancer Support Coordinator Barbara Brennan are urging women to use Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a reminder to be aware of the common symptoms.
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among WA women – and the second highest cause of cancer death.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare predicts more than 18,000 people in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.
Of this, 99.2-percent will be women and 0.8-percent will be men.
“WA women have a one in 10 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 75,” said Ms Pickering.
“In 2014, 249 Western Australian women died from breast cancer.”
Ms Pickering said women from regional WA were particularly likely to delay going to the doctor when they were experiencing symptoms, with patients often experiencing self-doubt about the existence of the symptom.
“If you’re unsure about a possible symptom you should make an appointment to discuss the change with your doctor, clinic nurse or Aboriginal health worker without delay, particularly if it’s been more than four weeks since you first noticed the change,” she said.
“Despite countless numbers of women knowing someone affected by breast cancer, many are still unsure or unaware of the early symptoms of the disease.
“Being breast aware and knowing what to look for could help find breast cancer early, which means there are more treatment options and the chances of survival are greatest.
“The symptoms you should be looking out for are new persistent pain or discomfort, a change in the shape, size or feel of your breasts, or any lump or lumpiness or thickening either in the breast or under your arm.
“Any skin changes are important to report, too – redness or puckering, or dimpling of the breast.
“And of course any changes in the position of the nipple or nipple discharge may be important.”
Ms Pickering said many women still believe they can only be affected by breast cancer if there is an existing family history of the disease.
“It’s a common misconception that to develop breast cancer there has to be a running history of it in your family but this isn’t the case,” she said.
“Most women who develop breast cancer don’t have a family history. That’s why it’s so important to get to know your body and know what’s normal for you.
“Be breast aware in the shower, when getting dressed, looking in the mirror, putting on body lotion, lying down in bed.
“You don’t have to be an expert or use a special technique.
“There are a number of lifestyle risk factors that increase a person’s chance of developing breast cancer.
“These include being overweight or obese, not doing enough physical activity, a poor diet, and drinking alcohol.
“These are all risk factors we can do something about.
“Thanks to research and advances in early detection, screening and prevention, more than 90-percent of women with breast cancer are alive five years after diagnosis.
“It’s also important to remember that a free breast screening service is available through Breast Screen WA.
“Screening mammograms are performed on women 40 years or over with no breast symptoms every two years, for the purpose of detecting breast cancer at an early stage before it can be felt or noticed.”
The BreastScreen mobile service will be in Narrogin on October 24 to November 26 and Wongan Hills on October 30 to November 8.
During the month of October, Cancer Council WA is encouraging West Australian women to get together with their girlfriends to raise awareness of breast cancer and raise much needed funds for research and support for women affected by breast and gynaecological cancers.
To host a Girls’ Night In fundraiser with your girlfriends this month, register at www.girlsnightin.com.au
For more information about breast cancer and how to identify the symptoms, visit www.findcancerearly.com.au
