"16 Women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer every week this year in Northern Ireland"

This startling statistic was highlighted by the Ulster Cancer Foundation at the launch of their Breast Cancer Awareness campaign on Monday 18th September.

Present at the launch were 16 women, including Northern Ireland MLA Pauline Armitage, all of whom are living with breast cancer and were there to symbolise the 16 new cases of breast cancer expected here every week this year.

Arlene Spiers, Chief Executive of the Ulster Cancer Foundation, said

"We believe that each and every woman diagnosed with breast cancer has the right to be a special case.  They require early diagnosis quickly followed by a prompt programme of treatment which is individually tailored to fit their particular needs.

We at the Ulster Cancer Foundation have worked tirelessly over the past year to highlight the lack of adequate funding for the NHS Cancer Services.  We believe that people with cancer in Northern Ireland have the right to the best possible cancer service available anywhere in the world.  We will continue to strive for this change to come about.

The reality is that today 5 to 6 times more money is spent on Breast Cancer treatment in Germany and France compared to the United Kingdom.

Every woman diagnosed with breast cancer in Northern Ireland has needs that don’t stop with diagnosis and clinical treatment.  These women are probably experiencing the most harrowing time of their lives;  going through a time of confusion,  fear, indecision, of waiting, of worry and perhaps even anger.

In addition to this every woman has to deal with the fact that her diagnosis is a diagnosis for each member of her family as well.

Having worked with,  supported and listened to very many women in this situation we at the Ulster Cancer Foundation have been able to develop a programme of services to help them through this difficult time.  Every woman has her own way of coping with breast cancer and whatever that may be - the Ulster Cancer Foundation will be there to support her.

The Ulster Cancer Foundation Campaign this year is a very special one - 16 women WILL be diagnosed with breast cancer every week this year, but the outlook is improving.  In the last five years, however, there have been 25% fewer deaths from breast cancer occurring in women between the ages of 20 to 69.

In this campaign the Ulster Cancer Foundation are encouraging everyone in Northern Ireland, not just women, to be aware of breast cancer.  We have come a long way from a time when cancer was a taboo subject  - or at best the "Big C".  Today we know that cancer must be an open subject in every home, every workplace - everywhere that people come together.  Only in knowledge can we find strength".

During this campaign The Ulster Cancer Foundation are encouraging people to make use of  Ulster Cancer Foundation services -

·        Phone our free phone helpline to find out about, or just to talk confidentially about cancer. 
0800 783 33 39

·        Join a breast cancer support group where there is strength from sharing.

·        Arrange to see the Ulster Cancer Foundation Nurse Counsellor in your local Cancer Unit or Cancer Centre.

·        Ask to meet a Ulster Cancer Foundation volunteer who has been through breast cancer themselves and is willing to help you.

·        Phone us and offer to become a 'Volunteer Befriender' yourself.

·   Take a Pink Ribbon Box and help us raise much needed funds for these much needed services.

For further details contact us on 028 9066 3281
Confidential Freephone Helpline: 0800 783 33 39