Q: What is breast cancer and how many people are affected each year?
A: Breast cancer starts when a cell in the breast starts to divide and grow in an abnormal way. There are several types of breast cancer, which can be found at different stages of development and can grow at different rates. This means that people can be given different treatments, depending on what will work best for them.
It is the most common cancer in the UK. In 2007, around 45,600 women and approximately 250 men were diagnosed with the disease. The majority of cases occur in people aged over 50, but around 8,800 women under 50 are also diagnosed each year.
Breast cancer does not occur when the breasts are developing - and it is extremely rare for anyone under the age of 20 to be affected.
If someone in your family is diagnosed with breast cancer, it does not necessarily mean that they are going to die. Better treatments mean that more and more people are now living long and full lives after breast cancer. It is thought that around 550,000 women are alive in the UK who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Q: What causes breast cancer and how can teenagers reduce their risk?
A: Although there is lots of research on breast cancer, we still don't know what causes it. There doesn't seem to be one single cause, but rather a combination of lots of different things.
There are three main risk factors for breast cancer and are things that we can't do anything about.
They are:
- Gender (being female)
- Getting older (80 per cent over the age of 50)
- Having a family history of breast cancer
Most cases of breast cancer happen by chance. Only around five to 10 per cent of breast cancers run in families.
Because breast cancer is so common in the UK, it's not unusual to have one family member with breast cancer, and this doesn't mean that you are at a higher risk of developing it.
For teenagers, eating a healthy, balanced diet and taking regular exercise are good ways to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer and other diseases in later life.
Q: What is a good way of making young people aware of breast cancer and how to be breast aware?
A: We know that teenagers and young adults worry about the changes their bodies go through and that they can find discussing these changes difficult. Many teenagers and young adults worry about their breast shape being different to others of the same age and worry this could suggest a medical problem or increase their risk of breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Care is a national charity that has been providing information and support for more than 30 years. In 2008, we produced a workshop resource pack to help teachers, school nurses and other professionals working with young people run information sessions on breast health called Breast m8s: Know and Love your Breasts.
The free resource pack includes details on how breasts develop, what is normal, how to find the right bra and breast cancer facts.
You can also visit Breast m8s web page for further information. The website includes advice on bras, breast development and facts on breast cancer. It also debunks some of the more commonly held myths about the disease, such as using a deodorant, or having your nipple pierced gives you breast cancer.
The website includes a frequently asked questions section that addresses issues such as whether it is normal to experience sharp pains in your breasts at times and the likelihood of you developing the condition if a grandmother or other close relation has been treated for the condition.
Jackie Harris is clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Care
MORE INFORMATION
- To order a free copy of the Breast m8s resource, or to find out more about breast awareness and breast cancer, visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk or call the freephone helpline 0808 800 6000 (open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 2pm on Saturday)
- Breast m8s: Know and Love your Breasts is designed to provide information on breast health and bras for girls aged 11 to 16: www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-breast-health/ breast-awareness/breast-m8s
