October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Published: 20/10/2019
‘Starting an honest conversation about breast cancer’
This breast cancer awareness month, breast cancer charities such as Breast Cancer Now have started campaigns encouraging early diagnosis of breast cancer, encouraging people to check for signs of breast cancer, and of course the ‘wear it pink day’ which takes place every year on 18th October!
It is so important that everyone (even men) check for signs of breast cancer as an early diagnosis can make all the difference! Here’s a quick overview of how you should be checking and what you should be looking for…
- Check the whole breast area, including the upper chest and armpits
- Check regularly and look for any changes
- Feel and look for signs/changes, some may only be felt or seen
- Lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit
- Change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling
- Change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look red or inflamed
- Change to the nipple, for example it has become pulled in (inverted)
- Rash or crusting around the nipple
- Any unusual liquid (discharge) from either nipple
- Changes in size or shape of the breast
- See your GP if you notice anything unusual or any changes
When researching breast cancer fundraising, events and stories an interesting and moving story popped up from Sara Liyanage who wants to start an honest conversation about breast cancer. Sara found that writing about her breast cancer helped her move on after treatment, and she now writes to help others who are going through what she went through, letting them know they’re not alone. Everyday people are diagnosed with breast cancer and they will be scared about their diagnosis and many will be fearful about going online to find help. Sara hopes that her website and writing can help people navigate their new world and show that sharing their story can make them feel less alone.
So this Breast Cancer Awareness Month lets come together to raise awareness and money for vital research!
Sara’s story --- https://breastcancernow.org/about-us/news-personal-stories/i-want-start-honest-conversation-about-breast-cancer
