Another successful Breast Cancer Awareness month draws to a close… 2009 saw a sea of pink ribbons practically everywhere you looked – shops, magazines, events etc etc. But the colour pink is an indication that this is female territory only. It’s not.
Male breast cancer, although much less common than female breast cancer, is poorly publicised and understood - perhaps for that reason it can go unnoticed until is has reached an advanced stage. Also, men may ignore symptoms, believing that only women can get breast cancer. Is comparatively rare, with less than 300 diagnosed cases per year in the UK. However, men should get any symptoms checked out right away.
For further information go to http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/breast-cancer/about/types/breast-cancer-in-men
Friday, 30 October 2009
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Appearing at a Supermarket Near You.....
Volunteer Moira and our admin assistant Pauline have been out this week letting people know about our service. Supermarket collections are a great way to raise both funds and awareness – although CNF was founded way back in 1999, there are many people in Fife living with cancer that do not know we are here.
A big thank you to Morrisons in Glenrothes and Tesco in Cupar - they allowed us to hold collections and hand out leaflets to their (very generous) customers.
There are more collection days coming up in different areas, so if you do happen to spot a CNF banner in your local supermarket, please go and have a chat with the girls… they’ll be delighted to meet you!
Helen
Co-ordinator
A big thank you to Morrisons in Glenrothes and Tesco in Cupar - they allowed us to hold collections and hand out leaflets to their (very generous) customers.
There are more collection days coming up in different areas, so if you do happen to spot a CNF banner in your local supermarket, please go and have a chat with the girls… they’ll be delighted to meet you!
Helen
Co-ordinator
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
'Made for Life Days' at Harvey Nichols – October 2009
Ladies, do you have or are you recovering from cancer?
Spiezia, the specialist organics skincare company, are hosting their ‘Made For Life’ days at Harvey Nichols stores around the country this month.
They will be at the Edinburgh store on Wednesday 21st October from 10am until 5pm – booking is essential. You can find all the details at http://spieziaorganics.com/madeforlifefoundation.php
Spiezia, the specialist organics skincare company, are hosting their ‘Made For Life’ days at Harvey Nichols stores around the country this month.
They will be at the Edinburgh store on Wednesday 21st October from 10am until 5pm – booking is essential. You can find all the details at http://spieziaorganics.com/madeforlifefoundation.php
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Breast Awareness – It’s Not Just For The Over 50’s!
Breast Cancer Awareness Month has gained even more attention this year, with a massive amount of media exposure highlighting the need for lifestyle changes and regular screening. However, women under 50 years old are not normally eligible for breast screening under the current NHS programme. This is not just about the cost - the problem is that mammograms are less effective in detecting breast cancer in pre-menopausal women because their breasts are made up of denser tissue, which the X-ray is less able to penetrate.
If a younger women is considered to have a higher risk of developing breast cancer because of family history, support, information and screening should be made available according to individual needs – see the Macmillan website for more info on this.
But what about everyone else? According to Cancer Research UK, in 2006 more than 45,500 women in the UK were diagnosed with breast cancer. They say that 8 in 10 breast cancers are diagnosed in women aged 50 and over – so utilising my rather dodgy maths, I work this out to be over 9000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in women under 50.
I’ll be honest, even though I personally know three women under 40 that have had breast cancer, I hadn’t really given too much thought to the scale of this issue. But then last night, despite my usual aversion to award shows of any kind, I ended up watching the Pride of Britain Awards. I was blubbing my way through it along with the rest of the nation when one young woman’s story really made me sit up and pay attention.
Kristin Hallenga, aged 23, is living with advanced breast cancer. Rather than allow it to defeat her, she has used the experience as a launchpad for her own campaign – the brilliantly named Coppa Feel. The campaign is aimed at young women – not only to inform them about breast cancer but also to empower and encourage them to seek the correct professional advice. Check out Kris’ website and her blog. And please tell all the young ladies in your life to do the same.
Helen
Co-ordinator
If a younger women is considered to have a higher risk of developing breast cancer because of family history, support, information and screening should be made available according to individual needs – see the Macmillan website for more info on this.
But what about everyone else? According to Cancer Research UK, in 2006 more than 45,500 women in the UK were diagnosed with breast cancer. They say that 8 in 10 breast cancers are diagnosed in women aged 50 and over – so utilising my rather dodgy maths, I work this out to be over 9000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in women under 50.
I’ll be honest, even though I personally know three women under 40 that have had breast cancer, I hadn’t really given too much thought to the scale of this issue. But then last night, despite my usual aversion to award shows of any kind, I ended up watching the Pride of Britain Awards. I was blubbing my way through it along with the rest of the nation when one young woman’s story really made me sit up and pay attention.
Kristin Hallenga, aged 23, is living with advanced breast cancer. Rather than allow it to defeat her, she has used the experience as a launchpad for her own campaign – the brilliantly named Coppa Feel. The campaign is aimed at young women – not only to inform them about breast cancer but also to empower and encourage them to seek the correct professional advice. Check out Kris’ website and her blog. And please tell all the young ladies in your life to do the same.
Helen
Co-ordinator
Thursday, 1 October 2009
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Can’t believe that October has rolled around again… where did the summer go? October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so we’ve been trying to dash around all our information stands topping up with all the latest breast cancer information leaflets. We have 14 stands located throughout Fife, so keep an eye out for them.
Cancer Research UK state that one in nine women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives and the World Health Organisation say it is now the most common cancer among women worldwide.
Frightening statistics – but can we do anything about it? There is increasing evidence to suggest that we can.
It was recently reported in the Times that a new study by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF ) has found the strongest evidence yet that lifestyle is linked to the risk of developing breast cancer. The research came to the conclusion after showing that more than four out of ten cases could be prevented if women exercised, limited their alcohol intake and maintained a healthy weight.
Arlene Wilkie, director of research and policy at Breast Cancer Campaign, said: “This review provides further evidence that maintaining a healthy weight throughout life along with regular exercise will reduce the risk of health problems such as breast cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis.”
Easier said than done after a hard days work when the notion of collapsing in front of the telly with a glass of wine and packet of crisps is a bit more appealing than a green salad and a jog round the park, I know, but at least it gives some hope that we have some influence over this awful disease.
When breast cancer does strike however, early detection can save lives. The breast screening programme in the UK has screened more than 19 million women and has detected around 117,000 cancers and a report by the Department of Health Advisory Committee published in 1991 suggested that the programme would save 1,250 lives each year by 2010.
I recently had my first mammogram (giving my age away here!) and it wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected – it is rather weird, but only uncomfortable for a few seconds. Not much inconvenience when it could save my life…
Cancer Research UK state that one in nine women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives and the World Health Organisation say it is now the most common cancer among women worldwide.
Frightening statistics – but can we do anything about it? There is increasing evidence to suggest that we can.
It was recently reported in the Times that a new study by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF ) has found the strongest evidence yet that lifestyle is linked to the risk of developing breast cancer. The research came to the conclusion after showing that more than four out of ten cases could be prevented if women exercised, limited their alcohol intake and maintained a healthy weight.
Arlene Wilkie, director of research and policy at Breast Cancer Campaign, said: “This review provides further evidence that maintaining a healthy weight throughout life along with regular exercise will reduce the risk of health problems such as breast cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis.”
Easier said than done after a hard days work when the notion of collapsing in front of the telly with a glass of wine and packet of crisps is a bit more appealing than a green salad and a jog round the park, I know, but at least it gives some hope that we have some influence over this awful disease.
When breast cancer does strike however, early detection can save lives. The breast screening programme in the UK has screened more than 19 million women and has detected around 117,000 cancers and a report by the Department of Health Advisory Committee published in 1991 suggested that the programme would save 1,250 lives each year by 2010.
I recently had my first mammogram (giving my age away here!) and it wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected – it is rather weird, but only uncomfortable for a few seconds. Not much inconvenience when it could save my life…
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