1. BREAST CANCER

2. Objectives for this session
Define breast cancer
Learn the facts about:
Who gets breast cancer
Why people get breast cancer (the risk factors)
The symptoms of breast cancer
How breast cancer is treated
Learn how to examine breasts

3. Quiz time – True or False
If breast cancer runs in your family, you’re sure to get it. True or false?
False- there are lots of other factors, but it is a significant risk factor

4. Men can get breast cancer.
True or false?
True, although it is less common, men can get breast cancer

5. Theres nothing you can do to lower your risk of breast cancer.
True or false?
False, there are some things you can do. This will be discussed later.

6. Antiperspirants can cause breast cancer.
True or false?
False

7. Most breast lumps aren’t cancer.
True or false?
True, most lumps found in the breast are benign (non-cancerous) lumps.

8. Breast cancer only occurs in elderly women.
True or false?
False. Although the risk of getting breast cancer increases with age, unfortunately younger people can get breast cancer.

9. Who gets breast cancer? Mostly women, but men CAN get it
Most common cancer in the UK
Every women has a 1 in 8 chance of getting breast cancer in her life
Most breast cancer occurs in those over the age of 50
But can occur in young women!

10. Why people get breast cancer
An individual’s chance of developing a disease is increased by risk factors…
RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER:
Being female
Age > 50 years old
Never having children or having first child age > 30 years old
Taking the Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill or Hormone Replacement Therapy
Obesity (especially as you get older)
Starting your periods early and going through the menopause late
Drinking large amounts of alcohol
Smoking
Radiation to chest (e.g. During a chest X-Ray)
Genetics
Purple = risk factors that you can change!

11. Symptoms of Breast Cancer
LUMP
Changes in the nipple
Liquid or pus coming out of the nipple
Skin changes, e.g. Change in the way the skin looks or feels
These symptoms do NOT = BREAST CANCER
Lots of condition that are not cancer (benign) or could be normal changes in the breast due to menstrual cycle (periods)
Pain- rarely.

12. What to look for…

13. Self examination
In order to know what is abnormal, it is very important to know what is normal for you
Everyones breasts feel and look different!
So it is important to check your own breasts!
This is known as a breast self-examination and it takes less than 5 minutes

14. 5 steps of a breast self examination

15. Number one
LOOK at your breasts in the mirror with your hands on your hips: Should be looking for any abnormality/change in:
Size, shape, colour: Are they normal for you?
Dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin
Nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple
Redness, soreness, rash or swelling

17. Number two and three
Now raise your hands above your head and LOOK for the same changes in step one
Whilst at the mirror LOOK for any signs of fluid coming out of your nipples: Watery, milky, yellow fluid or blood

18. Number four
Feel your breasts whilst standing up. Use your right hand to feel your left breast and vice versa. Use a firm smooth touch with the first few pads of your fingers. Using a circular motion ensure you cover the entire breast from top to bottom and side to side
Make sure you feel the TAIL OF THE BREAST

19. Number five
Finally feel your breasts whilst lying down. Cover the entire breast using the same movements described in step 4.

20. 5 1 2 4 3 LOOK with hands on hips LOOK with hands raised above head
LOOK at your nipples
FEEL both breasts while STANDING UP
FEEL both breasts while LYING DOWN

21. Can breast cancer be treated?
YES!!
Surgery
Remove just the cancer
Remove whole breast with or without a breast implant
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy
Medications to stop it spreading or coming back (hormonal treatments)

22. What to do next? Examine your breasts ONCE A MONTH
If you find any changes from your previous self check go and see your GP

23. 5 1 2 4 3 LOOK with hands on hips LOOK with hands raised above head
LOOK at your nipples
FEEL both breasts while STANDING UP
FEEL both breasts while LYING DOWN