Awareness vital in fight against breast cancer

Women have been encouraged to become more pro-active in avoiding breast cancer.

Screening, more exercise and healthier eating can all help women fight the disease, according to Dr John Kennedy, consultant medical oncologist at St James's Hospital and chairman of the Irish Cancer Society's medical committee.

He said breast cancer was becoming increasingly common in most Western countries and had become a lifestyle disease. Problems such as obesity and a lack of exercise all contributed to it. There are now an average 1,630 cases of breast cancer in women in this State every year, compared with 1,584 in the mid-1990s.

Yesterday, Action Breast Cancer announced the launch of international Breast Cancer Awareness Month for October. A travelling roadshow will visit Kilkenny, Bandon, Limerick, Athlone, Sligo, Donegal, Cavan, Drogheda and Dundalk during the month.

Breast care nurses will be on hand to give free information, advice and support on all aspects of breast awareness and breast cancer. Free evening information sessions will also be held across the country. A radio and television advertising campaign will be boosted by reminders on milk cartons. Pink Ribbon Day will be held this Friday, to raise funds for breast cancer research.

Action Breast Cancer was set up two years ago as an Irish Cancer Society project. Its free phone helpline (1800 309040) has received more than 3,000 calls.

Mr John McCormack, Irish Cancer Society chief executive, said breast cancer worried women in a way that other cancers did not appear to. "There's not a woman in Ireland who does not worry about breast cancer," he said. "This is all about de-mystifying the issues for all women."

He said he expected thousands of women to be involved in the October campaign, either on a voluntary basis or as a visitor to the roadshows and meetings.

RTÉ broadcaster and Action Breast Cancer spokeswoman, Ms Miriam O'Callaghan, said she supported the work of cancer organisations because her 31-year-old sister had died of cancer. "We all know about cancer. It's always very upsetting but in a sense it's not until you are personally in touch with something that you realise how important awareness and knowledge is."