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Jayne Nieto
Dr Asha Shivaram
OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Wirral Life talk to Breast Care Lead Nurse , Jayne Nieto , and Consultant Breast Radiologist , Dr Asha Shivaram , at Spire Murrayfield Hospital , Wirral
This October , women – and men – all over the country will be out fundraising and raising awareness to combat breast cancer . While the rates of people dying from this disease are decreasing in older women , it still claims the lives of 11,500 people every year .
One of the key messages of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is reminding both women and men to check their breasts . But Spire Wirral ’ s Breast Care Lead Nurse Jayne Nieto and Consultant Breast Radiologist Dr Asha Shivaram say breast cancer awareness isn ’ t just something that comes around once a year . We asked them for their advice as we enter another October .
How often should we be checking our breasts ?
It ’ s good practice to get into the habit of checking your breasts once a month . For pre-menopausal women , we advise that you do this straight after your period and if you ’ re menopausal or perimenopausal and your periods have stopped or if you ’ re male , then just pick a date in the month when it ’ s convenient for you .
Set a reminder in your phone for example so you don ’ t forget and just get into a routine of making sure that it takes place .
How should we do this ?
First of all , it ’ s important to know what your breasts look and feel like for you . Breast tissue changes dependant on hormones so we say get to know what ’ s normal for you from week to week and then get into a routine of checking them once a month .
Some people find that the shower is a good place to do this , others say looking in a mirror helps as it means they can see differences as well as feel them .
Use the flat of your hand and section the breast into four quarters then work your way around each quadrant feeling for changes . Don ’ t forget to feel around your collarbone and in your armpits . Using the flat of your hand is important as normal breast tissue can feel lumpy from time to time .
There is a really good video by Dr Liz O ’ Riordan on You Tube here which will show exactly how to do it . Any lumps , thickening of the breast , skin changes in the breast like puckering for example , changes in the nipple or discharge from the nipple should all be immediately checked . You can go to your GP or self-refer to our breast clinic .
How important is breast screening ?
Screening is important , in the same way as getting a regular smear test is . It can pick up changes at early stages before you are even aware of it yet . If you ’ re over fifty , you ’ ll be called for a screening mammogram as part of the NHS programme every three years until you ’ re seventy-one . But if you would like to continue being checked , all you have to do is contact your GP or breast clinic and they can arrange for you to have an appointment . For some people , the call back is more frequent than three years , and reasons for that could be due to family history or previous problems .
Our breast clinic at Spire saw 426 new patients last year alone and we followed up with 491 so it ’ s a continually active service . Some people come to us for their initial consultation meaning they don ’ t have to wait to be seen and then go on to have their treatment in the NHS . We have incredibly good links with both our local NHS services including those in Wales , the Isle of Man and Cheshire as well as the Linda McCartney centre in Liverpool . Many of our doctors also work within those services as well so people do have choices as to where they go for treatment , including staying at Spire with us for treatment . Each patient has a key worker , and we support them using a holistic approach , so looking at their wellbeing and their family support network for example as well as physically . You can selfrefer to see us in the breast clinic , our website has all the details .
At Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral , our consultants have wide experience in 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 advisors on 0151 929 5408 .
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