| NHS Tameside and Glossop, with Tameside Council, has announced a new pilot set to increase breast awareness amongst local women, and cut fatalities from breast cancer. The campaign has been developed through the consultation and involvement of local women and hits home the message that the sooner breast cancer is spotted, the easier and more effective treatment can be. The pilot is initially being adopted in the Ashton Hurst area, but if successful will be rolled out across the rest of Tameside and Glossop. |
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Breast cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer amongst women in Tameside and Glossop, in line with the rest of the country. However, although the incidence is no higher than the national average, survival rates are lower. This is due, in part, to women presenting to their doctors too late.
We want women to get to know their breasts, checking them regularly and reporting any changes to their GP or Nurse as soon as possible. The campaign addresses these messages through using a mixture of local events, leaflets, adverts and posters. We want every woman to be breast aware, with information readily available on the tell tale signs for them to look out for.
Signs to look out for include:
- A lump, or thickening that feels different from the rest of the breast
- A change in skin texture, such as dimpling
- A rash or redness on the skin or around the nipple
- An inverted nipple
- Discharge from the nipple
- Swelling in the armpit or around the collarbone.
In the long term, it is anticipated this will result in an increase in the early presentation of breast cancer and more women taking up breast screening.
The campaign launches for the public at Hurst Community Centre, Ashton-under-Lyne, with a women’s pampering drop in event between 2pm and 8pm, Thursday18th March. Pilates and yoga sessions, manicures, massage and raffles will all be offered on the day. These enjoyable activities will compliment the vital information on breast awareness at the event, with simple and attractive new booklets available to show women the tell tale signs to look out for.
The Haughton Thornley Medical Centres have also kindly allowed us to link to their website which contains two useful videos: one featuring a doctor on what to look out for breast cancer and a presentation from the Macmillan breast cancer specialist nurse at Tameside Hospital NHS Trust on how to self examine, what happens when you find a lump, what happens when you get referred on a 2 week breast cancer referral, what happens when breast cancer is diagnosed, and what different treatments are available.
The site also has links to relevant sites including the Map of Medicine evidence-based patient pathway for suspected breast cancer.