Remember to check your breasts

Sunday 23 October 2022

As Breast Cancer Awareness month continues, local doctors and specialists are encouraging women to check their breasts regularly.

According to the charity Breast Cancer Care more than a third of women don’t check their breasts enough. Local data shows that breast cancer is the second most common cancer in Guernsey (excluding skin) and approximately 55-60 people are diagnosed annually.

Public Health said that "being ‘breast aware’ can help detect cancer early and improve chances of survival."

Guernsey's Public Health Strategic Lead for Screening, Di Matthews said all women should be regularly checking themselves but they should also refer any concerns to medical professionals. 

Pictured: Support is available for anyone who needs it.

“Local women aged 50-75 years are invited for breast screening every two years free of charge. Breast screening can detect abnormalities in the breast tissue that are too small for you or your doctor to see or feel. It uses a test called a mammogram which is an x-ray examination of the breast that takes only a few minutes and involves a very low dose of radiation. However, we would still advise women to check and look at their breasts for changes in between screening appointments.”

Breast Nurse Consultant, Sharon Treacy agreed that screening is as important as regular checks.

"We’d encourage all those invited for screening to attend when they are invited, the appointment doesn’t take long, and it could save your life," she said.

For self-checks, women are encouraged to touch, look at and check their breasts for any changes as well as going for their screening when they are invited.

Advice and information on how to check breasts and what changes you might notice are available HERE or speak to your doctor.

More Information on the local Breast Screening Programme can be found HERE. 

If you are a trans man, trans woman or are non-binary you may be invited automatically, or you may need to talk to your GP surgery.