Doctors support Breast Cancer Awareness Month (From Times Series)

Doctors at Hendon's BMI The Garden Hospital support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

5:30pm Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News By Emma Innes

Doctors at a Hendon hospital have spoken out in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Consultants at BMI The Garden Hospital in Sunny Gardens Lane are encouraging Barnet residents to become more ‘breast aware’.

Their appeals comes after the hospital conducted a survey which found that in Barnet 76 per cent of people had either suffered from, or knew someone who had been affected by, breast cancer.

The research also found that 37 per cent of people in the borough believe that most women who are diagnosed with the cancer have a family history of the disease.

Consultant breast surgeon, Rashid Qureshi, said: “This is just not true. Most people who develop breast cancer do not have abnormal genes or any prior family history of the disease.

“That is why breast awareness and these campaigns are so vitally important.”

Mr Qureshi added: “During Breast Cancer Awareness Month my colleagues and I are urging local residents to know what is normal for them.

“It is important to remember to check all parts of your breast, your armpits and up to your collarbone for any subtle changes.

“Current guidelines state that you do not need to perform self breast examinations at any set interval or in any prescribed manner.

“But, you should know the symptoms of the disease, know what is normal for your body, and be able to quickly identify any changes.

“You mustn’t be complacent and it is vitally important to remember, regardless of family history or genetic predisposition, everyone should be breast aware.

“The more aware people are, the more lives can saved.”

Mr Qureshi and the team at BMI The Garden Hospital advise that women should see their GP if they are notice any of the following symptoms:

• Painless lumps in the breast
• Changes in the size or shape of a breast
• Dimpling of the skin of the breast
• Thickened breast tissue
• Nipple inversion
• Lump or thickening behind the nipple
• Rash affecting the nipple
• Blood-stained discharge from the nipple
• Swelling or a lump in the armpit

Philip Eke, executive director at BMI The Garden Hospital, said: “The awareness campaign organised by our consultants will hopefully drive home the message that everyone should be aware of their body and act quickly if they find anything outside of their normal boundaries. 

“As our research has shown, breast cancer is a disease that affects so many people and it is vitally important that both men and women take control of their health. 

“Across the course of their life, every woman in the UK will have a one in eight chance of developing the disease.

“While the disease in men is less common, the mortality rate is higher because of the lack of awareness about the disease.

“However, with early diagnosis and intervention both men and women can make the first positive steps to increase their chances of successful treatment.”