Breast Cancer Awareness Talk by Joanna Franks

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK with one woman diagnosed every 10 minutes. Around 55,000 women and 370 men are diagnosed with breast cancer annually in the UK. The most common risk factors for breast cancer are age and being a woman.

Joanna Franks emphasises that even, though breast cancer is primarily diagnosed in women, men should also be aware since 1% of all breast cancers are in males, most commonly in the age group 55-70 years. Risk factors for men range from increased exposure to oestrogen, previous exposure to radiation, and family history of breast cancer – BRCA 2 gen.

Joanna Franks pays attention to the importance of self-examination once a month to familiarise yourself with what the normal for your breasts to look and feel like. Once your understand your norm, if you see any changes it is important that you visit your GP immediately. The Infographic below will guide you with a regular self-examination of your breasts.

The NHS says that women will automatically get their first invite for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53. Then they will be invited every 3 years until they turn 71 years old. The importance of attending regular screening for breast cancer, when it is offered, can’t be underestimated. Breast cancer screening is designed to detect early signs of the disease, even prior to you being able to see or feel any changes in your breasts.