BE BREAST AWARE TO REDUCE THE RISKS OF CANCER
Miss Anne Tansley is a Consultant Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgeon at Spire
Murrayfield Wirral Hospital. Here Anne offers advice on how you can help yourself to stay safe.
One in eight women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime
with around 55,000 women and 370 men diagnosed with the disease every
year in this country.
While breast cancer occurs mainly in older, post-menopausal women and is
extremely rare in young women, it is vitally important that everyone follows
the simple advice to check themselves regularly and act immediately on any
abnormalities found.
I would advise women to get used to checking their breasts once a month. For
women still having their periods, they should check them a week after their
period and for all other women, just regularly once a month.
Breast Cancer Care’s website shows women how to examine themselves – what
to look out for and symptoms. There are informative posters showing the signs
to be aware of. It is not just women who should check their breasts, but men
too. For every 100 women who have breast cancer, we might find one man who
also has the disease. It is rare, but it does occur.
We recommend checking for: lumps, a change in the nipple, discharge – clear or
blood stained; a change in the skin – puckering or tethering, unusual swelling,
thickening of the skin; and a lump under the armpit.
Pain is not normally a sign of breast cancer. It’s a common symptom but not
a regular sign for breast cancer. If a lump is found, the general advice is, if
you are still having periods, wait until your period has passed then re-examine
yourself. If the lump is still there, make an appointment with your GP for an
assessment or visit our rapid access breast clinic at Spire Murrayfield where one
of our team can usually see you on the same day.
If you are no longer having periods and a lump is there, either go to your GP
and they will decide if it is appropriate to refer you to specialist clinic... or you
can ring up and make an appointment at the breast assessment clinic without
a GP referral.
Most lumps are not worrying. The most common things we see at breast clinics
are cysts, benign lumps and fatty glandular tissue. Breast pain is very common.
Most people leave with the all-clear.
At Spire Murrayfield we practice in the same way as the NHS - we have a rapid
access clinic where you will see a breast consultant for your clinical examination
and a specialist breast radiologist to perform your breast imaging, with results
on the same day. We have a dedicated breast care team with Consultant
Surgeons, Consultant Radiologists and a dedicated Breast Care Nurse. The unit
has recently invested in new state-of-the-art equipment - digital mammography
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and digital breast tomosynthesis (also known as 3D mammography) which is a
revolutionary new screening and diagnostic breast imaging tool to improve the
early detection of breast cancer. We are proud to become the first breast unit in
the North West to offer this equipment.
You can telephone and be seen by a Consultant breast surgeon at Spire
Murrayfield on the same day. We have clinics, four days a week – Monday
to Thursday. We provide imaging reports on the same day and can also turn
around a core biopsy in three to four days so you can get a diagnosis within
the week.
If you have insurance, then usually insurers are very good about authorising
a clinic appointment where everything can be done at once. For those who
do not have insurance, Spire Murrayfield have put together a package which
includes an initial clinical examination by a Consultant and initial imaging if
required for just £395.
A fixed price breast assessment fee is also available for women who do not want
to wait for their NHS appointment and can be seen straight away. Radiology
results are available on the same day and we can assist you with biopsy or
further treatment if it is required.
As with everything though, prevention is better than cure and there are a few
simple tips on how to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. Lifestyle
factors become increasingly important as you become post-menopausal. It is
important to keep your weight down, to only drink alcohol in moderation,
have a healthy low-fat diet and keep active. The key is keeping body mass index
to a normal level.
If caught in the early stages, breast cancer is very treatable. The key is to be
breast aware and report any changes early.
It is vital that people recognise the importance of breast awareness and not be
reluctant to go and get a check-up. Please do not ignore any signs. If you notice
a change, please do get advice.
At Spire Murrayfield Hospital, Wirral, our consultants have wide experience
in some of the latest techniques and innovations and our inclusive prices, and
access to 0% finance, options, make the process easy and more affordable.
For further information on our broad range of procedures and to find out
more about our team of expert Consultants search 'Spire Wirral' or call our
specialist advisers on 0151 929 5408.