Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. October is designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) internationally. Occupational Health Services is designating October 17th – 21st 2005 as Women’s Cancer Awareness Week.
Five Things to Tell Your Friends About Breast Cancer:
Tell your friends, your family – any women you care about. You could save a life.
- All women are at risk from breast cancer - even those who have no family history of the disease.
- The two greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and growing older.
- Survival rates are high for women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, when the cancer is small and has not spread. Get annual mammograms beginning at age 50, and start regular breast exams by your doctor and monthly breast self-exams at age 17.
- Smart strategies to reduce your risk of cancer include regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol intake.
- Through early detection and improved treatment, more women than ever are beating breast cancer.
Any woman can develop cervical cancer, but equally any woman can protect herself from its effects. Protection begins with regular Cervical Smear Testing. All women who are or who have been sexually active should have the test done at least every 3 years, even when there are no symptoms present. The only means of detection is by examining cells from the cervix. This test forms part of ESB’s Female Cancer Screening Programme.
Remember… Regular smear tests could save your life!
During OHS Women’s Cancer Awareness Week, we encourage all women to:
-
Visit the cancer information
post in the foyer of ESB Head
Office (Lr. Fitzwilliam Street)
and collect an information
pack.
- Contact your local EAP Officer for further information and leaflets.
Irish Cancer Society as follows:
Irish Cancer Society
43/45 Northumberland Road
Dublin 4
Tel: 01 231 0500
http://www.cancer.ie
Breast Cancer Awareness Pack:
Freefone 1800 30 90 40
Cancer Helpline:
Freefone 1800 200 700
(Weekdays 9am – 5pm)
