Irish women still have major misconceptions about the risks of breast cancer, study shows

Breast cancer: Irish women have major misconceptions about the risks of breast cancer, a new survey has found. Almost half believe that a family history of the condition is the key contributory factor in getting cancer, whereas this has been a factor in only 5 to 10 per cent of cases.

The biggest risk factor in breast cancer is getting older, which was identified by only 4 per cent of women surveyed by the Irish Cancer Society in advance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Other risk factors for breast cancer include having an early menstruation and/or late menopause, not having children or having the first child after the age of 30.

The survey results, which were released yesterday, also found that women - particularly postmenopausal women - have mistaken beliefs about their weight: 51 per cent of women in the 55-64 year age group described themselves as overweight and 2 per cent described themselves as obese whereas studies have found that 37 per cent of women in this age group are overweight and 30 per cent are obese.

"Overweight and obese postmenopausal women have been found to be at a 30to 50 per cent greater risk of breast cancer than women who were a healthy body weight," said Dr Mary Flynn, public health nutritionist at the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

"Being overweight during adolesence is not a risk factor nor is being overweight in young adulthood [ 18-35] yet if a woman can lose about 10lbs before the age of 30, she can significantly reduce her breast cancer risk [ in later life]," said Dr Flynn.

"The links between diet and breast cancer are complex but the key advice is to be a healthy weight, be active, enjoy exercise and avoid alcohol. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables, choose mainly wholegrain cereals and breads and avoid excess fats and oils," she said.

The Irish Cancer Society survey also found that Irish women are much more breast aware than they were three years ago. Some 40 per cent of women now check their breasts every month for lumps, nipple or skin changes, change in size or shape of breast compared with 24 per cent in 2002. Only 8 per cent of women said they never checked their breasts compared with one-third of women in 2002.

An information roadshow on breast cancer , Your health in your hands, will travel through Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Cork, Donegal, Tipperary, Kerry and Offaly during October.