Accessibility Features
Accessibility | Skip to Start of Article | Skip to Search | Skip to Navigation Menu | Skip to Themes | Skip to Regions | Skip to Members Sign InAccessibility Features
Accessibility | Skip to Start of Article | Skip to Search | Skip to Navigation Menu | Skip to Themes | Skip to Regions | Skip to Members Sign In
Action Cancer, Northern Ireland’s leading local cancer charity, released figures to mark the launch of its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign at Stormont today. The charity’s breast screening appointments have increased five fold in the last year leading to seven detections of breast cancer every month.
Action Cancer is the only charity in Northern Ireland to offer breast screening services to women. This service is offered to women aged 40-49 and over 65, who fall outside the NHS screening programme.
In the last year appointments have increased from 230 a month to 1100 a month and with early detection saving lives this is very good news for the women of Northern Ireland.
Geraldine Kerr, Action Cancer’s Head of Professional Services said:
"For every seven women diagnosed with breast cancer each month, there are also over 1000 who are given peace of mind. Without Action Cancer’s breast screening service these cancers would have gone undetected for some time, making the outcome more serious.
"All women who make appointments for screening have no symptoms - they are taking a pro-active approach to their health. For those women who do have symptoms, we strongly advise them to visit their GP immediately"
The leading local charity offer state-of-the-art digital breast screening at Action Cancer House in Belfast and on their BIG BUS, a high-tech mobile screening unit which visits workplaces and communities on a rotational basis across Northern Ireland. Since September of last year the charity has screened almost 7500 women for breast cancer.
Geraldine Kerr confirmed that:
"Action Cancer has always worked extremely hard to reduce the incidences and deaths caused by breast cancer in Northern Ireland. We are the only charity to offer breast screening to complement the NHS screening programme and this past year has seen a huge increase in the appointments we can provide.
"This is another advancement to help save lives against breast cancer in Northern Ireland.
"October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Action Cancer will be using this platform to encourage all women to make themselves aware of the symptoms of breast cancer and to carry out regular self-examinations. We would also encourage the relevant women to please attend their NHS screening appointment when called.
"In addition, Action Cancer will be calling on women in our screening range of 40-49 and 65+ to please mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month this year by coming to Action Cancer for a mammogram – it could save your life."
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females in the UK. Every year in Northern Ireland 1000 women are told they have breast cancer and approximately 300 women lose their life to breast cancer in a year here.
Speaking at the launch event at Stormont today was Lorraine Crosby, whose breast cancer was detected through Action Cancer. Lorraine said:
"Personally, I cannot thank Action Cancer enough for providing such a vital service especially to people like me who for one reason or another would not be standing here today. Being diagnosed with breast cancer is scary, but the important thing is to act early.
"Action Cancer have over a thousand appointments for breast screening a month, I want to do my bit to make sure each appointment is used and as many lives as possible are saved."
Feedback from women diagnosed with breast cancer has indicated the need for dedicated survivor sessions designed to educate, inform and assist with the cancer journey after the treatment stage. The charity is currently building a database of interested women in order to meet this need in the near future.
Hosting the event at Stormont is Iris Robinson, MLA, Chair of the Assembly Health Committee who commented:
I am delighted to be involved today and to support Action Cancer in the commendable work they do in Northern Ireland, saving lives and supporting people. Breast cancer is an important issue for women and is now the most common cancer in the UK.
The digital breast screening process offered by Action Cancer saves lives by detecting cancer at an early stage when it is more amenable to treatment and cure. Action Cancer is the only charity to offer breast screening so it’s fitting that they launch breast cancer awareness month and I’m delighted to be here.
I wish them a successful campaign raising awareness of this disease and hope that many more lives will be saved through early detection.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month Action Cancer has a number of key events organised to raise awareness of this devastating disease and to raise vital funds for services.
To book a mammogram appointment or for information on Action Cancer’s services, leaflets, survivor sessions, pink ribbons and advice please phone 028 9080 3344, email info@actioncancer.org or visit www.actioncancer.org
Action Cancer is Northern Ireland’s leading local cancer charity, founded in 1973, working to save lives and support people affected by cancer in Northern Ireland. It relies heavily on donations from the public and business communities in Northern Ireland to provide a range of vital, life-saving services including:
Services are available regionally through offices in Derry/Londonderry, Newry Magherafelt and shortly Enniskillen, on the BIG BUS and at Action Cancer House in Belfast.
Footer
NICVA | 61 Duncairn Gardens | Belfast | BT15 2GB
Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action is registered as a company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland (No 1792) and is registered as a charity for tax purposes with the Inland Revenue