Women unaware of breast cancer risk

A MISTAKEN belief that breast cancer only runs in families or is limited to the over-50s are two of the main reasons women who notice a breast change fail to go to the doctor.

This delay in seeking medical attention can reduce their survival chance, an issue highlighted by the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) at yesterday’s launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The ICS presented the preliminary findings of a study outlining why some women diagnosed with breast cancer did not go to the family doctor after noting concerning breast changes. Alarmingly, 4% of the women who took part in the study failed to report breast changes for a year and a half.

The study found that:

* Almost six in 10 women went to the doctor immediately on discovering a lump.

* 16% waited one to two weeks.

* The remainder waited for periods ranging from one month up to 18 months.

The most common reason cited by participants for not going to their GP sooner was because they did not think the breast change was serious.

The majority of women said this was because of the perception that you have to be over 50 to develop breast cancer or that you have to have a family history.

Another common reason for delaying seeking medical advice was due to other ongoing personal issues such as divorce or pregnancy.

One third of participants said they were breast aware.

Once women were seen by a GP, waiting times to see breast care consultants varied. Just over half were seen by a specialist immediately. Just 2% were not seen for up to six months.

Joan Kelly, of the ICS nursing service, urged women who spot breast changes to attend their doctor immediately.

“Early diagnosis of breast cancer increases the probability of a small tumour that has not spread which results in greater survival and a healthier prognosis for the patient,” she said.

Dr Noreen Cushen, a researcher at the Department of Nursing and Health Sciences in Athlone Institute of Technology, where the study was carried out, said women need to focus on breast awareness rather than rigid self-examination.

National Cancer Registry figures show that 2,479 new cases of breast cancer (2,463 female and 16 male) were diagnosed in 2007. One in 11 women in Ireland will develop breast cancer.

The ICS Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in partnership with Vhi Healthcare, includes Pink Ribbon Day on September 25.

* Action Breast Cancer Freefone 1800 30 90 40.