Latest news with #PreventBreastCancer
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- General
- RTÉ News
5 early signs of breast cancer – as Jessie J reveals diagnosis
English singer and songwriter Jessie J revealed to her fans on social media that she has been diagnosed with "early breast cancer" and plans to undergo surgery. In a video posted on Instagram, the 37-year-old singer, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, said: "Before No Secrets [the most recent single] came out I was diagnosed with early breast cancer…cancer sucks in any form but I'm holding onto the word early. "I have been in and out of tests throughout this whole period. I just wanted to be open and share it one because selfishly I do not talk about it enough. I'm not processing it because I'm working so hard. I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories." She also added that she was going to "disappear for a bit" after her upcoming performance at Capital's annual Summertime Ball event (June 15) to have surgery. The announcement brings much-needed awareness to this common disease. Here, Dr Cliona Kirwan, consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon and chair of the scientific board at Prevent Breast Cancer, explains what the different stages of breast cancer are and the five key early symptoms to look out for. What are the different stages of breast cancer? "Initially, breast cancer starts as pre-cancer, as cancerous cells trapped in the milk ducts, and that's called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which you can only really see and find on a mammogram," says Kirwan. "Then it can break through the wall of the milk duct and become a true invasive breast cancer within the breast, so usually that would be a little lump inside the breast, and that's the stage that most ladies present symptoms at." The next stage is when the breast cancer spreads up to the lymph nodes, most commonly to the lymph nodes in the armpit next to the breast it originated from, adds the breast surgeon. "That's what we'd call locally advanced breast cancer, or lymph node positive breast cancer," she explains. "Then, eventually, the cancer breaks through the lymph nodes in the armpit and spreads around the body. That would be advanced/ metastatic/ secondary breast cancer. At that stage, treatment is more about control than cure." What are some early warning signs? 1. Lumps "The classic one is a lump. So, people should regularly examine their breasts about once a month," advises Kirwan. "If you are still having period I would recommend checking your breasts a week after your period because you tend to be lumpier before a period and the hormone sensitive bits of breast swell a bit naturally. "A lump in the armpit could also be a sign that the cancer has spread to the armpit." 2. Dimpling "Also look for dimpling," says Kirwan. "Dimpling is when you lift your arms up and you see an area of the pulling in that didn't used to do that, so it's a shape change in the breast from the normal move curvature that you'd have." 3. Nipple changes "Look out for any nipple changes, like nipple inversion or rashes on the nipple," recommends Kirwan. 4. Nipple discharge "Bloody nipple discharge is another sign to be aware of," adds Kirwan. 5. Skin or size changes "Also, look out for any general skin changes around the breast area," advises Kirwan. Cancer Research UK also adds to note down any changes in the size and shape of the breast. When should you seek medical advice about these symptoms? Early diagnosis is crucial, so make sure you book an appointment with a GP if you start to present with any of these symptoms. "You would first see a GP and then be referred to a breast unit where you'd be seen by a breast specialist who would decide whether any scans or biopsies need to be done," explains Kirwan. "Ladies under the age of 40 are usually offered an ultrasound scan, and for ladies over 40 it's usually a mammogram." How is breast cancer treated? "The only way you can cure breast cancer is to remove it, so the main treatment is surgery," says Kirwan. "In the early stages most ladies can have breast conserving surgery. In other words, they get to keep the breast and we just remove that area where the cancer is and often we then remodel the breast and try and keep a nice shape to the breast. "However, sometime ladies will need a mastectomy, and that is often when the lump is big compared to the size of the breast, and so taking out the area of disease would mean there just wasn't enough breast tissue left for it to be worth saving. Surgery on armpits is also common, to check if any cancer has got into the lymph nodes." Many patients are also offered chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy.
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bristol university student to cycle miles for mum who had cancer
A student is planning to cycle across nine countries for a breast cancer charity after his mother was diagnosed with the Hartikainen, 22, was in his second year at the University of Bristol when he received a call from his mother, Johanna, to tell him she had breast underwent multiple surgeries and radiotherapy and has since made a full said he was planning to cycle 1,553 miles (2,500km) across nine countries for Prevent Breast Cancer. "I remember it really vividly," Jesper said. "I was in the living room when I saw she was ringing." He said he felt helpless when he found out his mother had breast cancer. After finishing his degree in economics at the University of Bristol, he will set off on his bike in plans to cycle through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway and finish line will be in Helsinki, Finland, where most of his family mother, a risk manager in a bank, said she was "incredibly proud" of her son."I am hoping that his challenge will help raise awareness of the importance of check-ups which can result in early diagnosis and easier treatment of breast cancer," she said.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Student to cycle 2,500km for charity after his mother overcomes cancer
A determined student will cycle 2,500km across nine countries to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer – after his mother overcame the disease. As Jesper Hartikainen pedals 200km a day from London to the Finnish capital, Helsinki, he said his mother will often be on his mind. Mr Hartikainen, 21, was in his second year at the University of Bristol when he got the dreaded call. 'I remember it really vividly,' he said. 'I was in the living room when I saw she was ringing. I knew she had gone for a check-up but I didn't think anything of the call. 'Mum started breaking down on the phone and I realised what was happening. I just felt helpless.' His mother, Johanna, underwent multiple operations and radiotherapy for the breast cancer. Fortunately, it was caught early and she made a full recovery. Now, Mr Hartikainen wants to raise money for Prevent Breast Cancer, which aims to stop the disease through early diagnosis and lifestyle change. Mr Hartikainen, who studies economics at the University of Bristol, said: 'Mum was so lucky that it was caught early, I know people who haven't been so lucky and it's exponentially worsened.' He is training hard for the cross-continental cycle, which will see him pedal through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and finally Finland. 'When I first proposed the idea mum thought I was mental,' Mr Hartikainen said. 'But I've kept saying I'm doing it and now she's really on board. She's even taking a sabbatical and spending some of it following me in the support car.' Mr Hartikainen grew up in Weybridge, Surrey, but much of his family lives in Helsinki. As he nears the finish line, his family, including his mother, will be out to support him. His mother, a risk manager in a bank, said: 'I am incredibly proud of Jesper for taking on such a mammoth challenge raising money for a very worthy cause. 'I am hoping that his challenge will help raise awareness of the importance of check-ups which can result in early diagnosis and easier treatment of breast cancer.' Mr Hartikainen is no stranger to hard exercise. As a teenager he was in the London Irish rugby academy for five years was called up to an England training camp. After tearing his ACL and meniscus in 2020, he moved into cycling, and he now takes part in bicycle and triathlon races. 'Part of me genuinely worries that I'll hit some kind of wall and won't even be able to spin the pedals. But the other half of me knows that I won't let that happen, because the reason I'm doing it is more than enough motivation,' he said. Mr Hartikainen sets out in July after finishing his degree at the University of Bristol. 'I have thoroughly enjoyed my time studying in Bristol, meeting some amazing people and creating some great friendships along the way,' he said. 'In a way it's starting to really feel like home and I would love to return to this incredible city in the future.'
The Independent
25-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
How likely are you to get breast cancer when you hit 60? What you need to know
A new study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer has unearthed an alarming statistic. It found that breast cancer cases - and deaths - in the UK are likely to rise significantly by 2050. The study predicted cases would increase by 21 per cent and deaths by a staggering 42 per cent. Meanwhile, a study in Nature Medicine found that one in 20 women worldwide will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. By 2050, there will be 3.2 million new breast cancer cases globally. Around 23 per cent of breast cancer cases are thought to be preventable in the UK (obesity and excessive alcohol consumption each contribute to 8 per cent) however, ageing remains the main risk factor due to DNA damage accumulation. Women over 60 are especially at risk, so what do breast cancer specialists say about early detection, treatment, and lifestyle adjustments to help you take charge of your health? Women with close relatives who've been diagnosed with breast cancer are at higher risk 'Prevent Breast Cancer estimates that around 25% of breast cancers have some genetic component,' says Lester Barr, consultant breast surgeon and founder of the charity Prevent Breast Cancer. 'Women with a family history of breast cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease. 'If your mum or sister has had breast cancer, your relative risk may be double that compared to a person with no family history.' Certain genes may cause this risk. 'In a small number of women with a particularly strong family history, the risk of breast cancer may be caused by a mutation in a high risk gene such as BRCA1 /BRCA2 or one of 10 other moderate risk genes, all of which we can now routinely test for,' says Barr. So, if you have a family history of breast cancer you can ask your GP about genetic testing. 'This can be done on the NHS, and they'll test you for a gene panel, including BRCA,' says Dr Britta Stordal, associate professor in cancer research and deputy dean in research and knowledge exchange at Middlesex University London. 'If post-menopausal women are confirmed to be a higher risk of breast cancer (e.g. due to family history) they may benefit from taking a medicine to decrease oestrogen (e.g. anastrozole) which may roughly half the risk of breast (IBIS-II Trial),' says Mr Daniel Leff, a consultant in oncoplastic breast surgery at The Harley Street Clinic. 'However, the medicine can have side effects such as menopausal symptoms, joint pains and weakening of bone mineral content (osteoporosis).' You can reduce your risk by keeping fit and losing weight Some cases of breast cancer are considered preventable through lifestyle changes. 'The average woman in the UK gains a stone in weight during her adult life, which increases the risk of breast cancer by about 20%,' says Barr. 'The good news is that if you're overweight, losing just 5% of your weight (and keeping it off) can reduce your risk substantially – by between 25 and 40%. 'Prevent Breast Cancer was one of the first research groups to find that weight loss can reduce the risk of breast cancer. In our study of 34,000 women, modest weight loss was shown to reduce risk by as much as 40%.' In addition, an abundance of research has found that regular exercise reduces your risk of breast cancer. 'Exercise should make you breathe harder and make your heart beat faster – and you should aim for five sessions a week to help reduce your risk of breast cancer,' advises Barr. ' People who eat high levels of red meat and processed meat have an increased risk of breast cancer, as well as other cancer types,' says Stordal. 'So, maybe you can say, we're not going to have sausages and are going to have chicken and prawns instead, or something like that, just to cut down your processed meat consumption.' Check your breasts thoroughly once a month for any changes. 'Women over 60 years should pay careful attention to changes in their breasts that may be signs of breast cancer,' says Leff. 'The most common sign of breast cancer is a painless lump. 'Other symptoms include dimpling, puckering or indrawing of the skin or nipple, unexplained redness or inflammation of the breast, and nipple discharge coming from a single point on the nipple.' Go to your screening when invited 'We recommend that women aged 60 and over get three yearly two-view mammography as part of the national breast screening programme,' says Leff. 'Screening frequency can change based on individual factors. For example, if a women has a risk of lesion or atypical cells in the breast we often recommend yearly mammography for five years, and/or if a women has a known high risk genetic mutation (e.g. BRCA1/2) then the screening frequency is more regular than the general population.'
The Independent
25-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Breast cancer over 60: What specialists want you to know
Breast cancer cases and deaths in the UK are projected to rise significantly by 2050, with cases increasing by 21% and deaths by 42%, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The study in Nature Medicine found that one in 20 women worldwide will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and, by 2050, there will be 3.2 million new breast cancer cases. Around 23% of breast cancer cases are thought to be preventable in the UK (obesity and excessive alcohol consumption each contribute to 8%) however, ageing remains the main risk factor due to DNA damage accumulation. Women over 60 are especially at risk, so what do breast cancer specialists say about early detection, treatment, and lifestyle adjustments to help you take charge of your health? Women with close relatives who've been diagnosed with breast cancer are at higher risk 'Prevent Breast Cancer estimates that around 25% of breast cancers have some genetic component,' says Lester Barr, consultant breast surgeon and founder of the charity Prevent Breast Cancer. 'Women with a family history of breast cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease. 'If your mum or sister has had breast cancer, your relative risk may be double that compared to a person with no family history.' Certain genes may cause this risk. 'In a small number of women with a particularly strong family history, the risk of breast cancer may be caused by a mutation in a high risk gene such as BRCA1 /BRCA2 or one of 10 other moderate risk genes, all of which we can now routinely test for,' says Barr. So, if you have a family history of breast cancer you can ask your GP about genetic testing. 'This can be done on the NHS, and they'll test you for a gene panel, including BRCA,' says Dr Britta Stordal, associate professor in cancer research and deputy dean in research and knowledge exchange at Middlesex University London. You might be eligible for anastrozole 'If post-menopausal women are confirmed to be a higher risk of breast cancer (e.g. due to family history) they may benefit from taking a medicine to decrease oestrogen (e.g. anastrozole) which may roughly half the risk of breast (IBIS-II Trial),' says Mr Daniel Leff, a consultant in oncoplastic breast surgery at The Harley Street Clinic. 'However, the medicine can have side effects such as menopausal symptoms, joint pains and weakening of bone mineral content (osteoporosis).' You can reduce your risk by keeping fit and losing weight Some cases of breast cancer are considered preventable through lifestyle changes. 'The average woman in the UK gains a stone in weight during her adult life, which increases the risk of breast cancer by about 20%,' says Barr. 'The good news is that if you're overweight, losing just 5% of your weight (and keeping it off) can reduce your risk substantially – by between 25 and 40%. 'Prevent Breast Cancer was one of the first research groups to find that weight loss can reduce the risk of breast cancer. In our study of 34,000 women, modest weight loss was shown to reduce risk by as much as 40%.' In addition, an abundance of research has found that regular exercise reduces your risk of breast cancer. 'Exercise should make you breathe harder and make your heart beat faster – and you should aim for five sessions a week to help reduce your risk of breast cancer,' advises Barr. Making small changes to your diet can make a big difference ' People who eat high levels of red meat and processed meat have an increased risk of breast cancer, as well as other cancer types,' says Stordal. 'So, maybe you can say, we're not going to have sausages and are going to have chicken and prawns instead, or something like that, just to cut down your processed meat consumption.' Check your breasts thoroughly once a month for any changes. 'Women over 60 years should pay careful attention to changes in their breasts that may be signs of breast cancer,' says Leff. 'The most common sign of breast cancer is a painless lump. 'Other symptoms include dimpling, puckering or indrawing of the skin or nipple, unexplained redness or inflammation of the breast, and nipple discharge coming from a single point on the nipple.' Go to your screening when invited 'We recommend that women aged 60 and over get three yearly two-view mammography as part of the national breast screening programme,' says Leff. 'Screening frequency can change based on individual factors. For example, if a women has a risk of lesion or atypical cells in the breast we often recommend yearly mammography for five years, and/or if a women has a known high risk genetic mutation (e.g. BRCA1/2) then the screening frequency is more regular than the general population.'
