Extended opening hours for testing and self-check advice in different languages could cut a near 20% discrepancy in the amount of women screened for breast cancer by ethnicity – says our founder.
Whilst 67% of white people attend routine examinations that number plummets to just 41% amongst the Bangladeshi community.
And while these two solutions would make a difference, notes Dr Anita Sharma, one other significant factor could also save lives.
The support of men.
“There needs to be a radical shift in the way husbands, brothers, sons and even grandfathers view female health” said Dr Anita. “Too much stigma is attached to it, and there are even cases where men open vitally important letters to their wives and daughters about breast screening and discard them. That attitude is killing their loved ones – how much plainer could I be?”
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths amongst women globally with around 2.3 million diagnosed with the condition per year and 666,000 reported deaths. And yet if diagnosed early, it has a five-year survival rate of 98.9%.
Caroline Yates is testament to the importance of self-checking and screening and said: “Finding a lump, I made an urgent appointment and was seen within two weeks and had an urgent mammogram, scan, and biopsy. Hearing the word “C” in October 2019, aged 52 years, I was enraged, angered, and scared.
“It was not easy to go through the surgery with Chemotherapy and losing my hair, choosing not to wear a wig and then radiotherapy. On the 19th February 2022, I underwent the final stage of my treatment – and am now CANCER FREE”.
Caroline acknowledges that while making time for yourself and communicating with others in the same situation is vital, it is those around you that are key. She added: “Family is a powerful support system, and talking to them is so important.”
October is World Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the 26th designated to wear pink and raise awareness of the condition and the need for screening.
Dr Sharma concluded: “Anyone can get breast cancer. Checking your breast regularly is the key to—TLC (Touch, Look and Check). It is also worth remembering that men can get breast cancer and whilst the numbers are much smaller it carries a 19% higher mortality rate than women.
So, it is in all of our interests to be wary of breast cancer and encourage each other to get checked-out if ever we are concerned about symptoms.”
.Eminent Manchester gynaecologist and ambassador to the campaign Dr Ken Ma will be offering special breast cancer advice to those with endometriosis at a free webinar – see website for details.
Dr Ma said: 'While we don’t fully understand the link between endometriosis and breast cancer, both are common diagnoses that share risk factors related to sex hormones”.
“For women with a diagnosis of breast cancer, it is important for them to alert their breast specialist if they have a history of endometriosis”.
Pictured is Caroline Yates.
Mark it in your diary, the 24th of October (11am) sees a free webinar from endo medical experts, Dr Kenneth Ma and our founder Dr Anita Sharma.
The subject will be one much discussed and feared by those with endometriosis – how the condition affects fertility.
Dr Ken is a renowned serious endo expert from St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester and Dr Anita, is of course a pioneer at primary care level and a published author.
Both were keen that their presentations should be followed by questions – giving YOU the opportunity of their sage advice.
FOR TICKETS GO TO https://www.eventbrite.com/e/endometriosis-and-fertility-tickets-1045136711037?aff=oddtdtcreator
Breaking news – as we warmly welcome Councillor Arooj Shah to our campaign!
We are absolutely delighted to announce that the leader of Oldham Council, and the very first Muslim woman to head up a Northern Council, has joined us as our new political ambassador.
Read all about it by visiting our Press Coverage and About Us pages.
A trailblazer and campaigner for social justice, we are looking forward to working with Cllr Arooj to lift the profile of endometriosis and get some movement on treatment and diagnosis.
Click onto our brand new movie, detailing what Endometriosis Awareness North is all about Endometriosis Awareness North - YouTube
Featuring our treasured case study Courtney, it also gives medics a platform to call for quicker diagnosis of endometriosis.
With thanks to filmmakers Andrea Bertozzi and Pete Gibson Media.
Endometriosis Awareness North
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