The Marie Keating Foundation, in association with Exact Sciences, have launched a new Public Health Education Campaign, called ‘Do it for the One you Love’ which is designed to encourage women (and their partners) to ‘self-examine’ to support the early detection of Breast Cancer.
The campaign is about encouraging women and their partners to do a self-check and to use a simple guide to do an effective self-examination.
This new initiative includes two on-street campaigns, in Dublin and in Cork, on Wed and Thurs, Oct 23rd and 24th, where members of the Marie Keating Foundation, together with Nurses and former patients, will hand out Information Guides showing how to perform these self-examination procedures, and provide information to the public.
One of the issues that arose during Covid was a major fall-off in the early detection of breast cancer. While things have improved post Covid, many patients are now presenting with more advanced forms of breast cancer. Covid also caused backlogs of up to 12 months in mammograms. We cannot stress highly enough early detection can boost survival rates up to 90%.
Early detection leads to much better outcomes. Most breast lumps are not cancerous but the advice is always to see your GP.
Orla Hunt, who is part of the campaign, said “as a cancer survivor, I would ask all women to self examine their breasts to detect any abnormalities as early as possible – this campaign is hugely important – I am delighted to support the Marie Keating Foundation in encouraging early detection”.
According to the Marie Keating Foundation, there is no need to worry or fear about self-examination as only one in ten lumps require further investigation – recent figures show that 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some stage in their life. There are almost 3,452 female and around 30 male cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Ireland each year.
Helen Forristal, Director of Nursing Services at the Marie Keating Foundation says “The Marie Keating Foundation is delighted to partner with Exact Sciences to raise awareness about the importance of early detection when it comes breast cancer. It is important to get familiar with your own body, to look and feel for any changes. Look out for new lumps, rashes, puckering, inverted nipples or pain. If you notice anything that is unusual for you, go get it checked. It could be nothing but if it is something, early detection will lead to a more positive outcome and easier treatment path”.
‘It is also good to know your own family history so that you know if you might be at risk, we always say knowledge is power. Know your body, notice changes, know your family history and chat to your doctor if you have any concerns at all’ concludes Forristal.
Matt Bull, Head of Northern Europe (UK, Ireland and Nordics) at Exact Sciences, said “We are delighted to partner with and support the Marie Keating Foundation in such an important Public Awareness Campaign. Although there have been many breakthroughs in breast cancer care, early detection is key to improving outcomes. Together we will work to help improve the lives of those affected by breast cancer in Ireland and beyond”.
The campaign will be supported by Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Cllr James Geoghegan in Dublin and by the Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Margaret McDonnell in Cork
- During the pandemic, many routine screening programs were suspended, or delayed, to prioritise healthcare resources for Covid 19 patients. This led to a decrease in mammography appointments and a backlog of screenings.
- Fear of contracting the virus in healthcare settings made many patients hesitant to attend screenings, or seek medical attention for potential symptoms. This reluctance contributed to fewer diagnoses in the early stages of cancer.
- Healthcare facilities reallocated resources to manage Covid 19 cases, which often meant reduced availability of staff and equipment for Non-Covid related healthcare services, including cancer screenings.
- Patients diagnosed with Breast Cancer faced challenges in receiving timely follow up care and treatment, due to healthcare systems disruptions, which could affect outcomes and overall survival rates.
- This advice card will instruct how to check your breast for changes. It is often women themselves who first notice their breast cancer. It is therefore important to be breast aware.
- The American Cancer Society states that “Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important”.