October Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2019
Posted by Emma Buckley | 1st Oct 2019
Early detection is your best defence against breast cancer!
Current Breast Cancer statistics in Ireland:
- 1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer in the course of their lifetime
- Incidence of male breast cancer is 1 in 1000
- We have 2800 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year
- 14% are women under 44 years
- 49% are women between 45-64 years
- 37% are women over 65 years
- Only 5% – 10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary
Nutrition advice to help reduce risk and manage cancer…
Healthy eating and breast cancer…
The World Cancer Research Fund shows that about a third of the most common cancers are preventable through a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight and regular physical activity.
- Maintaining a healthy weight – through a balanced diet and regular physical activity – helps reduce the risk of
developing cancer. Our recommendation is to be as lean as possible within the normal range of body weight. - Be moderately physically active, equivalent to brisk walking, for at least 30 minutes every day.
- Consume energy-dense foods sparingly such sugary drinks ,’fast foods’ if at all.
- Eat at least five portions/servings (at least 400 g or 14 oz) of a variety of non-starchy vegetables and of fruits every day.
- Limit intake of red meat and avoid processed meat.
- For cancer prevention, it’s best not to drink alcohol. If you do, limit alcoholic drinks and follow national guidelines.
- Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium).
Speak With One Of Our Nutritionists
Breast lumps
The first symptom of breast cancer for many women is a lump in their breast. However, many women have breast lumps and nine out of ten are benign. That means they are not cancers.
Most benign breast lumps are:
- Areas of normal lumpiness in the breast that are more obvious just before a period
- Cysts – sacs of fluid in the breast tissue, which are quite common
- Fibro adenoma – a collection of fibrous glandular tissue (these are common in younger women, aged under 30)
What to look and feel for
Changes that could be due to a breast cancer are:
- If one of your breasts has gotten larger or lower or changes shape
- If any veins stand out more than usual for you
- Puckering, dimpling or redness of the skin
- Changes in the nipple such as redness, crusting, or blood stained discharge
- Changes in the shape of the nipple, particularly if it turns in or sinks into the breast or direction
- Lumps
- Thickening of breast tissue
- Bumpy areas that seem different from other breast tissue
- A swelling or lump in your armpit or along your collarbone