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Think Pink! ?– UCF Jumps on the ?‘Band?’ Wagon
By Derval Keenan, 11/7/2005 4:05:56 PM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) is encouraging people to Think Pink! during October, Breast Cancer Awareness month.
The leading local cancer charity has launched a new Think Pink! wristband, which will increase awareness of the disease and help raise vital funds to support and care for women with breast cancer in Northern Ireland.
Launching this year?’s Think Pink! Campaign Miss Northern Ireland, Lucy Evangelista, models the new fashion ?‘must have?’ accessory of the Autumn season, which is available at outlets nationwide.
Today?’s launch marks the beginning of a month long awareness and fundraising campaign for the charity. The key message this year focuses on the importance of being ?‘breast aware?’ as early detection really does save lives.
With celebrities including Anastacia and more recently Kylie Minogue going public on their diagnosis of breast cancer, UCF stress the importance of knowing the symptoms of the disease and encourages women to regularly check their breasts from an early age.
Joyce Savage, Head of Appeals and Marketing, UCF said, ?“While breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in women under 35, it is relatively rare in this age group. However it remains vitally important that all women learn to be ?‘breast aware?’ from around their mid 20s onwards.
?“Women should know what their breasts are normally like and any changes should be reported to their GP without delay. Women should check their breasts whenever seems appropriate such as when dressing or in the shower. Nine out of every ten lumps are harmless but every lump should be checked out by a doctor as the earlier breast cancer is discovered, the better the chances are of successful treatment and full recovery.?”
What medical experts refer to as the ?‘Kylie effect?’, has resulted in an unprecedented 40% surge in the number of Australian women being screened for breast cancer and a further 101% rise in women booking an initial mammogram. UCF hope that Kylie?’s diagnosis combined with their awareness raising Think Pink! Campaign, will inspire thousands of local women to attend screening.
Joyce continued, ?“All women in Northern Ireland aged 50-64 are invited for breast screening every three years. While the uptake in attendance at screening centres has increased overall in recent years, with 75 in every 100 keeping their appointment in 2004, there is still much room for improvement, particularly in rural areas and amongst women from ethnic minorities or those with disabilities.
?“Alarmingly, statistics show that 1 in 6 women have missed an appointment because it was not convenient and 1 in every 10 stated that they would rather not know the outcome. We would urge women to keep their screening appointment when invited as every year in NI more than 900 women discover they have breast cancer and almost one third of these are picked up through the breast screening service.?”
Although the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer increases slightly every year, the good news is more and more women are surviving the disease. Research funded by UCF in Northern Ireland continues to shed light on this complex disease, its causes and treatment, and advances are being made.
UCF offers a wide variety of information and support for all those affected by breast cancer including, Breast Cancer Support Groups, Counselling, Patient Volunteer Support, Specialist Bra and Swimwear fitting service for mastectomy patients, Freephone Cancer Helpline (Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Tel: 0800 783 3339), art and beauty therapy classes.
Please contact UCF on 028 9049 2007 if you would like:
- To bulk order new UCF Think Pink! wristbands or glitzy breast cancer pins.
- To hold a fundraising event on behalf of UCF?’s Breast cancer awareness campaign.
- To order tickets for Think Pink! Luncheons to be held on Friday 14th October at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen with guest Speaker, Northern Ireland?’s answer to Trinny and Susannah, style guru, Mr. Billy Dixon and on Friday 21st October at the Europa Hotel, Belfast with guest speaker Ms. Ann Widdecombe MP.
- Further information about the campaign or to order resources.
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Notes to editor:
Breast Cancer Symptoms
You should look out for anything, which is not normal for you. A lump is the most commonly recognised early symptom of breast cancer, but other symptoms can include:
- Any dent, puckering or dimpling of your breasts
- Thickening under the skin of your breasts or armpits
- Changes in size or shape of the breast
- Veins which stand out more than usual
- Any change in the position of your nipples ?– pulled inwards or pointing in a different direction
- Any discharge or bleeding from your nipples
- A rash around your nipples
- Any discomfort or pain in your breasts that is different from normal
- Any change in sensation in your breasts.
Don?’t forget to check under your arms for lumps or anything unusual.
Breast Screening Centres
Eastern Health & Social Services Board
The Screening Centre
12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BS
Tel: 9033 3700
Northern Health & Social Services Board
Northern Area Breast Screening & Assessment Unit
Level A, Antrim Area Hospital
45 Bush Road, Antrim, BT41 2RL
Tel: 028 9442 4425
Southern Health & Social Services Board
The Breast Screening Unit
Lurgan Hospital, Sloan Street, Lurgan, BT66 8NX
Tel: 028 3834 7083
Western Health & Social Services Board
The Breast Screening Unit
Ground Floor, The Nurses?’ Home
Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Glenshane Road, L?’derry, BT47 6SB
Tel: 028 7161 1443
Mobile Screening Units
To find out when there is a unit near you, please call your local GP practice.
For further information please contact:
Pauline Wylie, PR and Events Manager, UCF on
Tel: 028 9049 2007 / 07810 371118
or
Derval Keenan PR and Events Officer on
Tel: 028 9049 2007 / 07812 525531
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