Waikato Business News August/September 2021

PINK WALK
WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS August/September 2021
25
October is breast cancer
awareness month
Breast cancer awareness month is a time to raise awareness of
breast health. If you are a woman and you are getting older, you
have the two main risk factors for breast cancer.
One of the best things
we can do to improve
outcomes from breast
cancer is early detection.
This is important for all
women, but especially so
for Māori women who are at
even higher risk of developing
breast cancer than non-
Māori, and have double the
death rate compared to NZ
European women.
Research work supported
by the Breast Cancer
Research Trust has shown
that Māori women with cancers
detected through screening
do just as well as non-
Māori. Breast cancer cure
in these women is high with
94% breast cancer survival at
10 years.
Early detection saves lives
Regular mammograms
• A screening mammogram
is the best method for the
early detection of breast
cancer in women with no
symptoms.
• We recommend women
start having annual screening
mammograms between
40-49 and then once every
two years from 50 years
(and up to age 80 – as
long as women remain in
good health).
You can have a
free mammogram
every two
years through
BreastScreen
Aotearoa if you are
between 45-69
years.
BreastScreen Aotearoa is
New Zealand's free breast
cancer screening programme.
It checks women for signs
of early breast cancer using
mammograms.
You can have a free
mammogram every two
years through BreastScreen
Aotearoa if you are between
45-69 years. Please phone
0800 270 200 to enrol
in this programme. You
can also enrol for on line
at www.nsu.govt.nz
Mammograms;
• Can show changes in the
breast before anything can
be seen or felt. In most
cases the changes will not
be cancer.
• Can detect breast cancer
early, which means a very
good chance of cure.
• Can detect about 75 percent
of unsuspected cancer
in women under 50 and 85
percent in women over 50.
• Cannot prevent you getting
breast cancer and cannot
always prevent death
from breast cancer.
• Are safe because only
very small amounts of
radiation are used in twoyearly
screening.
Be breast aware:
You can examine your breast
by looking at yourself in the
mirror with your hands on
your head.
Changes in the breast to
look out for and report to
your doctor;
• A new lump or thickening
• Skin dimpling or puckering
• Any change in one nipple,
such as discharge that
occurs without squeezing
or a turned-in nipple
• Or a rash or reddening
or scalyness of the nipple
While most lumps and other
symptoms are not due to
cancer, proper assessment is
needed to determine this. If
you see something different,
see your GP for a check-up
and get referred for appropriate
further workup.
More and more women
than ever before are surviving
a diagnosis of breast cancer
thanks to early detection and
more effective, safe and tailored
treatments developed
through research.
What can you do to reduce
breast cancer risk?
All women are at risk of
breast cancer, and risk
increases with age. Understanding
breast cancer risks
– those you can control and
those you can’t – may help
you to improve your breast
health;
• Regular exercise – at least
four hours per week; coming
along to the annual
Pink Walk and Button Run
is a good start!
• Eating a healthy diet
including low fat and
sugar, and lots of fresh
fruit and vegetables,
• Maintaining a healthy
weight, especially after
the menopause,
• Keep alcohol intake to less
than 10 drinks per week.
Ensure you have alcohol
free days,
• Breast-feed if possible.
Breastfeeding for
12 months or more
is associated with a
reduction in breast
cancer risk,
• Know your family history.
Most women who are diagnosed
with breast cancer
have no family history. A
small proportion get breast
cancer because of a heritable
cancer gene mutation.
If you have a number of
relatives affected by breast
cancer on the same side
of the family (mothers or
fathers) your risk may be
increased. Talk to your
doctor about your family
history, you may need to
start breast surveillance at
a younger age.
Regular breast screening can find what you can’t feel
With Anglesea Women’s Health
and Hamilton Radiology, your
health is in safe hands.
Anglesea Women’s Health provides the highest
quality specialist women’s imaging service
in a caring, patient orientated environment.
Our equipment is the latest state-of-the-art
technology, providing highly detailed images.
Hamilton Radiology is the region’s largest
private medical imaging facility. Together with
Midland MRI we deliver Mammography,
Bone Density, X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI and
CT services across the region. With our highly
experienced team and senior specialist consultant
radiologists, you’ll be in safe hands.
Proud Sponsors of
The Waikato Breast
Cancer Research Trust