It’s a time to remember those who have fallen, to educate those who are yet to succumb and to honour those who made it through.
Breast Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It’s an equal opportunity employer and targets mums, daughters, grandmas, aunties, sisters and best friends.
In the space of October, 160 women (and men) will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Take the time to educate yourself with our did-you-knows below.
if something feels abnormal or even if you’re not sure, get it checked out or ask for a second opinion. Listen to your body, trust your instincts and don’t stick your head in the sand… EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES!!!
Did you know…
• Antiperspirants do not cause breast cancer. Breast tissue is quite separate from the sweat glands under the arm and from the lymph nodes in the armpit.
• Men get breast cancer too. About twenty men are diagnosed each year in New Zealand.
• Under-wire bras are safe, they do not cause breast cancer.
• A lump in the breast isn’t the only possible sign of breast cancer. Other signs include: a change in the size or shape of the breast; a thickening in the breast or armpit; a change in the colour or dimpling/puckering/scaling of the breast, areola or nipple; a newly retracted/inverted nipple; or blood or discharge from the nipple.
• Many possible breast cancers are found by partners. Listen to them and get anything unusual checked by a GP.
• X-rays from having a mammogram are not dangerous. Mammograms can help save lives by finding cancer before it can be felt as a lump and before it has spread.
• Any lump detected in a woman should be checked with a clinical examination, ultrasound and mammogram, as well as a needle biopsy. The ‘triple test’ is important so make sure your GP follows this guideline.
• Most breast cancers are diagnosed in older women who are over 50 years of age. That’s why it’s vital for women between the ages of 50-70 use the free BreastScreen Aotearoa screening programme.
• Tumours found in younger women tend to be more aggressive and harder to find. That’s why yearly mammograms are recommended between the ages of 40 and 50 years.
• The cause of breast cancer is still a puzzle but you can help reduce your risk. This can be done by leading a healthy lifestyle, being breast aware, and having age appropriate mammograms.
• Women with a high risk of breast cancer may carry a breast cancer gene which has a 50% chance of being passed onto their children – male or female.
• Breast feeding can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in future but it is not a 100% guarantee.
• Several studies link alcohol intake (more than one glass per night) to an increased risk of breast cancer. Alcohol alters the way a woman’s body metabolises oestrogen. This causes blood oestrogen levels to rise which in turn increases the risk of breast cancer.
• Free mammograms are available for women between the ages of 45 and 69 through the Breast Screen Aotearoa screening programme. These mammograms are for women with no symptoms of breast cancer. However, if you are outside this age group you are also eligible for a free mammogram (with a referral from your GP) if you:
o have suspicious signs or symptoms of breast cancer
o have previously been treated for breast cancer
o have a strong family history of breast cancer
• One in ten men in New Zealand will lose a sister, daughter or wife to breast cancer.
For more information check out the New Zealand Breast Cancer website.
It’s a time to remember those who have fallen, to educate those who are yet to succumb and to honour those who made it through. 
• Men get breast cancer too. About twenty men are diagnosed each year in New Zealand.
• The cause of breast cancer is still a puzzle but you can help reduce your risk. This can be done by leading a healthy lifestyle, being breast aware, and having age appropriate mammograms.