Breast Cancer Awareness applies to all women regardless of age

TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has spoken of the importance of catching cancer early and getting into treatment as swiftly as possible during October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
 
Speaking after chairing a meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee with representatives of BreastCheck recently Teachta Crowe said: “October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I chaired a meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee with representatives of BreastCheck this week and one thing that really struck me was their accounts of how many women do not believe they could develop breast cancer before they were in their 50s. While the danger does increase once a woman is in her 50s, it is by no means exclusive to older women. Women of any age can develop breast cancer and it is vitally important to know the signs.
 
“BreastCheck screening involves a non-invasive mammogram or an x-ray of the breast area and is open to women aged 50-69. BreastCheck and cancer screening saves lives but out of every 10 women who are invited, only 7 take part. We heard that this can be down to work commitments, childcare responsibilities or fear of the unknown, but I would appeal to those women to get screened and be proactive in detecting cancer.
 
“BreastCheck also informed the Committee about the severe shortage of radiographers and high number of appointments missed during Covid. The Government must treat the gaps in our screening programmes with the utmost seriousness. Missed BreastCheck appointments mean that we will have missed hundreds of cancers in women that may go unchecked until possibly too late. “As a cancer survivor myself, I appreciate the importance of catching cancer early and getting into treatment as swiftly as possible. Familiarise yourself with self-examination and if you are worried about something, please don’t assume that it’s nothing. Get it checked out, give yourself certainty and peace of mind.”