Tuesday, 14 July 2015

Breast cancer warning to older women


Many older women are unaware of some of the early warning signs of breast cancer, according to a survey.
Fewer than half of the women over 70 who were questioned could name a symptom, apart from a lump.
The government health agency, Public Health England, which organised the survey, said that older women were also more likely to delay going to their GP.

About one in three women diagnosed with breast cancer each year are aged 70 or over.
A campaign by Public Health England, called Be Clear on Cancer, is urging older women to visit their doctor if they notice breast changes, such as a lump or a change to the nipple, skin or the shape of the breast.
Jenny Harries of Public Health England said: "We want women 70 and over to be aware of their breasts and to recognise any changes, report any new symptoms and just remember that you're not past it when it comes to breast cancer."
Figures show that about 9,500 women die every year from breast cancer and over half of these women (5,400) are aged over 70.
Sara Hiom, Cancer Research's director of early diagnosis, said: "This campaign highlights two important facts that aren't well known - that breast cancer isn't just about lumps, and that older women are most at risk."
"We hope these latest Be Clear on Cancer adverts will encourage women, especially older ones, to tell their GP about any unusual or persistent changes to their breasts, be that a lump, or something else like discharge, or a change to the skin or nipple.
"An early diagnosis, regardless of age, usually makes breast cancer more treatable," she added.

Extended screening

The survey from Public Health England questioned 731 women aged over 40 in England.

When asked to name symptoms of breast cancer, only 48% of women over 70 could name a symptom other than a lump.
Women aged under 50 and over 70 are not included in the national breast screening programme, but a trial is investigating the merits of extending screening to women aged 47-49 and 71-73.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in England, with about 41,000 women diagnosed each year.

Related Posts:

  • Jega: why we postponed the Feb 2015 electionsThe Chairman, Independent National ElectoralCommission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has saidthat there were `new developments’ thatneeded to be addressed before the conduct ofthe 2015 general elections.Jega made the remark on… Read More
  • PDP urges voters to reject Buhari for shunning debateAbuja - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)has called on Nigerians not to vote for thepresidential candidate of the AllProgressives Congress (APC), MuhammaduBuhari, for refusing to participate in the liveradio and television d… Read More
  • Relationship Advice: 10 Traits of Miserable CouplesIf you’ve been trying to figure out thecomponents of a winning relationship, youaren’t alone! Researchers, philosophers, andlovers throughout time have been seeking thesecret formula.In an effort to help you identify what to … Read More
  • Schools to remain open during election seasonAbuja - The federal government hasdirected that all schools from the primaryto the tertiary level should remain openduring the general elections,The decision was reached at a meetingbetween the federal government and the 36st… Read More
  • Craig Lewis: The World’s First Heartless HumanHeart Stop Beating is the story of twovisionary Texas Heart Institute doctors, Dr.Billy Cohn and Dr. Bud Frazier. Frustrated bythe often short lifespans and mulitplecomplications of usual heart replacementdevices, the two &nb… Read More

0 comments:

Post a Comment