Amidst the autumnal festivities of ‘spooky season’, it’s important to remember that October is also the designated month for Breast Cancer awareness.
Breast cancer is the UK’s most common type of cancer, with around 156 people receiving a diagnosis every single day. So, there’s no doubt that every month should encourage Breast Cancer Awareness, and help us to predict, prevent, and protect ourselves from its spread. Nevertheless, the display of the iconic pink ribbon during ‘Pink October’ is a powerful show of solidarity to those affected by the disease.
Who is most at risk?
Factors out of our control, like genetics, age, and biological gender, place us all at a different risk-level of getting breast cancer. Whilst it’s impossible to guarantee or predict, understanding your personal risk of developing breast cancer could be potentially life-saving.
Crucially, women account for 99% of new breast cancer cases, with 80% of these cases being in women over the age of 50. Also, as a quarter of breast cancer cases have an inherited component, it’s likely that if you have a strong family history of breast cancer, you are at a higher risk of developing it in your lifetime. Of course, if this applies to you, it does not at all guarantee that you will be affected, although you might be eligible for predictive genetic testing with the NHS.
Who to contact
It’s important not to get too invested in these statistics, but if you are uncertain about your family history and would like peace of mind, the Nightingale Centre Family History Clinic in Manchester could be of help. Their contact number is 0161 291 4422.
More generally, you can always speak to your GP. If you’re at university and haven’t yet registered with a GP, you can use the NHS Find a GP website to find a list of practices near your address. Alternatively, there is the University GP Service on-campus located in Crawford House, which you can register at using their online portal. Any concern you have is valid, and you don’t need to have present symptoms to protect your health!
Tackling misconceptions
Although cisgender women aged 50+ are undoubtedly most likely to develop breast cancer, they aren’t the only demographic at risk. The bottom line: as everyone is born with some breast tissue, anyone can get breast cancer. This includes cisgender men and both transgender men and women who undergo hormone treatment. As a society, we must challenge the stigma attached to breast cancer, and validate the experiences of those who fit outside the margins of a statistical majority. That’s why the wearing of pink may seem trivial to some, but there is no doubting that it’s a universal show of support, one which certainly doesn’t have to be limited to just ‘Pink October’.
Take control of your health
Understanding the risk factors of breast cancer is the first step towards preventative action. Although you can’t control your genetic makeup, you can control your lifestyle choices. They might sound obvious, but here are some tips which you can adopt to put yourself at the best chance of avoiding diseases like breast cancer:
- Exercise. In our busy day-to-day lives, it can be hard to find time for exercise. The easiest way is to implement it into your daily routine; this can be as simple as taking the stairs, or making an effort to walk or cycle home instead of opting for the 142.
- Diet. Nutrition doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Planning your food shop ahead or prepping meals might be helpful, especially if you find yourself eating unhealthily just out of convenience (although there’s nothing wrong with a sweet treat). Also, calling all students: keep an eye out for the SU farmers market!
- Alcohol. For some, this may seem a near-impossible task, but cutting down on alcohol does lower your risk of developing all forms of cancer. You don’t have to stop drinking, it’s just about striving towards moderation.
For more in-depth cancer prevention recommendations, see the World Cancer Research Fund website.
Signs and symptoms
Early detection is the best way to tackle breast cancer, so it’s vital to recognise the symptoms:
Through self-examination and just general awareness of your body, you can check for these symptoms yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask your GP or someone you feel comfortable with for advice; you deserve to feel at peace within your own skin. For step-by-step guidance on breast self-examination, you could visit https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/breast-self-exam-bse.
Services
If you notice something to do with your breasts which seems abnormal, even if it is not one of the aforementioned symptoms, screening is an available service which can help protect you from the spread of breast cancer. Screening is the best way to catch cancer in its early stages, or to even offer peace of mind that you’re in the all-clear.
For the Greater Manchester area, The Nightingale Centre is a clinic which offers breast screening, alongside diagnostic and treatment services. It is situated on the University Hospital of South Manchester complex in Wythenshawe; don’t hesitate to contact them at 0161 291 4480 if you, or someone you know, wishes to book an appointment.
Support
Know that you aren’t alone! Breast cancer charities exist solely to help anybody affected in any way. For example, The Nightingale Centre is in collaboration with Prevent Breast Cancer, a charity committed to prediction and prevention methods. Other relevant charities include: Manchester Cancer Research Centre and Breast Cancer Now. Furthermore, if you’re aged 20 to 45, Younger Women Together is an organisation which provides specialised support; offering both online and in person events, they are helped further by volunteers from their ‘Someone Like Me’ and ‘Moving Forward’ services.
Ultimately, you don’t need to be personally affected by breast cancer to show solidarity to those who have. Having breast self-awareness and just generally making your physical and mental health a priority is so important; beyond ‘Pink October’, every month of the year should encourage breast cancer awareness.
