Breast cancer may hit one in 12 women

ONE in 12 women are at risk of developing breast cancer - a statistic that underlines the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month that begins today.

Cases of breast cancer are at an all time high. Latest statistics from the National Cancer Registry shows there were 1,890 new cases of breast cancer in Ireland in 2000, compared to 1,752 in 1999.

Breast cancer has overtaken both lung and bowel cancer to become the second most common cancer in Ireland after non-melanoma skin cancer.

Data from the National Cancer Registry also shows there were 671 deaths from breast cancer in 2000 and 644 in 1999.

All this month women will be urged to wear a pink ribbon and “be up front” about breast cancer.

This is the fifth year that Boots and Action Breast Cancer (ABC), a project of the Irish Cancer Society, have joined forces to promote the awareness campaign.

Boots will be selling the ribbons to raise money for ABC, which provides information and support for both diagnosed and undiagnosed women.

ABC’s services are free, confidential and accessible and include a national helpline (1800 30 90 40), publications, one-to-one support, breast awareness presentations and advocacy.

ABC project leader, Abby Langtry, said their partnership with Boots allowed them to actively target women on a wider scale to heighten awareness of breast cancer.

“Early detection saves lives. By educating women to be breast aware for life, we can do just that,” she said.

Boots regional marketing coordinator, Catherine Cullen, said the increasing breast cancer prevalence rate proved that continued education was vital.

All Boots chemists will be distributing information about breast cancer throughout the month as well as raising vital funds to support ABC.

ABC will also be mounting a powerful nationwide campaign that will comprise TV, radio and print advertising.

Also taking place is a nationwide roadshow and a series of information events and seminars.