Breast Health

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Health Minister Annette King today announced a major extension of the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme being rolled out from July 1 (2004) to include women up to their 70th birthday and from their 45th birthday.

Ms King says the programme was set up in 1998 to cover women aged 50 to 64, and currently 62 percent of the eligible population is covered by the programme.

Breast Health

Breast health for women is of prime importance. With the incidence of Breast Cancer in New Zealand being very high, the need to examine and be aware of one's own breasts has become a part of everyday health checks. According to the Breast Screen Aotearoa website statistics breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in New Zealand. Each year about 1600 women develop breast cancer and about 580 New Zealand women die from the disease.

About one in 10 women in New Zealand will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Of those women who get breast cancer, three-quarters are over 50 years of age.
Most women who develop breast cancer have no close relatives with the disease. Even among women with a family history of breast cancer, only a very small number will be at high risk.

The Breast Screen Aotearoa website is a must for further reading on the Breast Screening Programme in New Zealand or telephone 0800 270 200. The Screening Programme promotes having a mammogram and is free for women aged 50 to 64 years. Mammograms are breast x-rays. When you have a mammogram, the radiographer places one breast at a time between two plates on the x-ray machine. The plates hold the breast firmly for a few seconds while the x-rays are taken. This procedure can be uncomfortable, some women find it painful, but it does not harm your breasts.

MAMMOGRAMS . . .

can detect tissue changes in the breast before anything can be seen or felt. In most cases, any changes detected will not be cancer
are particularly effective in women over 50 years of age who have mammograms every two years.
can detect about 90% of all unsuspected cancers. However, in some cases an x-ray may indicate that something is not quite right when, in fact, all is well (false positive result. Or an x-ray may fail to pick up a cancer (false negative result).
cannot prevent breast cancer, and cannot always prevent death from breast cancer. They can only detect breast cancer - but early detection means early treatment and a better chance of a successful outcome.
are relatively safe because only very small amounts of radiation are used.

At Breast Health New Zealand you can find out further information about breast health including doing breast self examinations. Other topics include a family guide, patient awareness guides, breast cancer in men, types of cancer and interventions, and nurturing at the breast. An interesting article on HRT and the increased risk of breast cancer is a must to read also, in light of a large overseas study being stopped (mid 2002) due to the risks to women's health whilst on HRT.

SIGNS OF BREAST CANCER

How often do you examine your breasts? Regular examinations play an important role in detection of changes that occur in the breast tissue. These changes do not always mean that you have cancer, but always follow up anything that you notice with your health professional.

What do I look for?

any changes in breast shape or size
any lumps or thickenings of your breast
pain or sensitivity in the breast that is unusual
any change in your nipple or a discharge from your nipple
a dimpling or puckering of your breast

What treatment is available if I have breast cancer?

Treatment of breast cancer will vary with every woman. It depends largely upon the type of breast cancer that is found, the size of cancer and if it has spread further and the age and health of the woman.

Treatment can include surgical intervention. This once again varies greatly upon the above factors but can include a lumpectomy, partial mastectomy (partial removal of the breast) or full mastectomy. With surgery other tissue called lymph nodes (part of the body's drainage system) may also be removed.

Further treatment usually follows and includes radiation therapy (Radiotherapy), chemical therapy (Chemotherapy) and hormonal therapy.

Radiotherapy is the use or special x-rays to kill off or shrink the cancer cells. Chemotherapy is the use of medicines to kill cancer cells. Hormonal therapy is the use of hormones that changes the balance of the body. Some breast cancers use the naturally occurring hormone oestrogen to grow.

Where do I go to for help?

Your GP is one of the key health professionals to see initially and throughout your treatment should you need it. Other organisations such as the Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Foundation and the Breast Cancer Network offer excellent support, advice and information. Don't hesitate to use these resources - they are there for you.

You can contact them at

Cancer Society 0800 800 426 or www.cancernz.org.nz

Breast Cancer Foundation 0800 902 732 or www.nzbcf.org.nz

Breast Cancer Network (NZ) Phone 09 526 8853 Fax 09 526 8860

Invigorating Services for Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients

Just a year after its public launch and initial fundraising event, the Louise Perkins Foundation is launching "Sweet Louise" services to metastatic breast cancer patients, initially in the Auckland region, with plans to expand as quickly as possible to other geographic regions.

A public presentation with details of Sweet Louise services is being held on Monday 30 October 2006. Eligible patients are able to access services from November using a points-based voucher system which allows each patient to choose services to meet her key area of need. The costs of the services are being met by the Louise Perkins Foundation.

All services offered are in line with the Louise Perkins Foundation philosophy of offering strategies and services that improve the quality of life of women with metastatic breast cancer.

All metastatic breast cancer patients in the Auckland region are eligible for Sweet Louise services. Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that has recurred and spread since its initial diagnosis.

The Sweet Louise services are being offered in the following key areas:

Sweet Louise Helpers (practical help, including child care, gardening and lawn mowing, handyman services, personal home care and home cleaning services);
Sweet Louise Mind (strategies that may improve emotional wellbeing, including art therapy, counselling, positive mind techniques and group support);
Sweet Louise Body (strategies that may improve physical wellbeing, including exercise, diet, beauty, massage and Reiki).

In addition, Sweet Louise is employing a Patient Support Co-ordinator to provide advice and support to women with breast cancer, help in understanding the physical and emotional impacts of the disease, and assistance in selecting the services to best support each woman at each stage of her journey.

The Louise Perkins Foundation is inspired by the life of Louise Perkins. Diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 27, Louise continued to enjoy a rich and full life. In addition to receiving great medical care, she filled her time with reasons to live. She discovered a myriad of ways that helped her deal with the day to day experiences of breast cancer.

To find out more go to www.sweetlouise.co.nz

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Please Note Age Concern North Shore has tried to ensure that all information on this website is correct. However, Age Concern North Shore does not accept liability for any statements or advice contained on, or omissions from, nor endorse any suggested site on this website. Other websites referred to on this website are here for reference only. The information on this website should not be regarded as a substitute for professional advice and we do suggest that you consult with your health, legal or financial professional.

Website last updated 04/12/2008