Irish Cancer Society calls on the public to be breast aware on Paint it Pink Day
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as part of Paint it Pink Day on October 28th the Irish Cancer Society is urging everyone to be breast aware and watch out for the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers and while it primarily affects women each year a small number of men are also diagnosed*.
Most women find a change in their breast themselves.
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:
• A change in size or shape such as one breast becoming larger than the other
• A change in the skin such as puckering or dimpling (like orange peel) or redness
• A change in the direction or shape of your nipple, especially if it sinks into your breast or becomes irregular in shape
• An unusual discharge (liquid) from one or both of your nipples
• A change on or around the nipple such as a rash or flaky or crusted skin
• Swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone
• A lump or thickening in your breast
• Constant pain in one part of your breast or armpit
Mark Mellett, Head of Fundraising, Irish Cancer Society said, “Thanks to all those who have been busy ‘Painting it Pink’ throughout the month of October. Up and down the country people have been hosting pink events, which not only help raise awareness of breast cancer, but also raise vital funds to support the thousands of people in Ireland on their breast cancer journey.
“Most recent figures showed that 2,983 people received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, up 33% from 2003, which puts a huge demand on our services. Last year alone almost 1,300 calls to our freephone Cancer Nurseline were from breast cancer patients in need of advice. In 2015 a total of 154 breast cancer patients were brought to their chemotherapy appointments through our Volunteer Driver Service, and 588 nights of nursing care were delivered to 133 breast cancer patients. We have also invested €7.5m in BREAST-PREDICT, a five year study focused on breast cancer research. None of this would be possible without the public’s staunch support for the Paint it Pink campaign.”
Friday 28th marks ‘Paint it Pink Day’ and volunteers in towns around the country will be selling pink ribbons and pins to fight breast cancer. It’s not too late to get involved in Paint it Pink, you can donate by calling 1850 60 60 60 or by texting Pink to 50300 to give €4 to the Irish Cancer Society. All €4 goes to the Society unless a provider applies VAT when a minimum of €3.25 will go to the Society. Service provided by Likecharity 01-4433890.
*In 2013 2,942 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 41 males were diagnosed with the illness.
