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The Foundation advises 20-year-old women to self-check for breast cancer

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The Foundation advises 20-year-old women to self-check for breast cancer

Women in their 20s come to doctors with advanced breast cancer and this age group has been urged to learn self-monitoring and reduce their risks.

More than 3,700 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in Ireland each year, mainly among women.

The Marie Keating Foundation advised that there is no need to fear self-checks because although only one in 10 lumps require further investigation, catching them early can make a big difference.

Deputy Mayor Margaret McDonnell supported the campaign, saying that in her work as a GP practice manager she sees the devastating impact this disease can have.

“We want to highlight awareness of this and highlight self-control for young people,” he said.

The Marie Keating Foundation launched the ‘Do it for the person you love’ campaign on Thursday, handing out self-control guides to people in Cork City Center (scroll down to view the guide).

Based on feedback from oncologists, Ms McDonnell said of the campaign: “It’s for younger women. They’re seeing that they’re now getting advanced cancers. They haven’t been screening and they’re presenting with stage 2 cancer.”

Cllr Margaret McDonnell (left) and nurse Col Conway of the Marie Keating Foundation at the launch of the Breast Cancer Public Health Campaign, in association with Exact Sciences, to promote self-examination in women. Photo: Julien Behal Photography
Cllr Margaret McDonnell (left) and nurse Col Conway of the Marie Keating Foundation at the launch of the Breast Cancer Public Health Campaign, in association with Exact Sciences, to promote self-examination in women. Photo: Julien Behal Photography

Helen Forristal, director of nursing services at the Marie Keating Foundation, said they partnered with Exact Sciences, a diagnostics company, on this.

“It’s important to get familiar with your own body, to look and feel any changes,” she advised.

“Watch out for new lumps, rashes, wrinkles, inverted nipples or pain. If you notice anything unusual for you, get it checked out. It could be nothing, but if it is something, early detection will lead to a more positive outcome and an easier treatment path.”

Free mammograms are available from ages 50 to 69 in Ireland, as the risk increases with age.

Responding to questions about whether the age should be lowered, Tánaiste Micheál Martin told the Dáil last week: “People have been talking to me about going to 40. We can facilitate a discussion between doctors and advocacy groups , along with the general public, about whether this is a clinically advised move.”

(Left to right): At the launch of the research program today were Aisling Hurley, CEO of Breast Cancer Ireland; Dr. Damir Vareslija, co-director of PRISM; Professor Leonie Young, Scientific Director of the Beaumont RCSI Cancer Center and Director of PRISM, Minister Patrick O'Donovan TD; Dr Aisling McEvoy, Head of Business Partnerships at Research Ireland; Claire Noonan, COO Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre; and Seamus Browne, Head of Industry Partnerships at RCSI. Photography: Jason Clarke Photography
(Left to right): At the launch of the research program today were Aisling Hurley, CEO of Breast Cancer Ireland; Dr. Damir Vareslija, co-director of PRISM; Professor Leonie Young, Scientific Director of the Beaumont RCSI Cancer Center and Director of PRISM, Minister Patrick O’Donovan TD; Dr Aisling McEvoy, Head of Business Partnerships at Research Ireland; Claire Noonan, COO Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre; and Seamus Browne, Head of Industry Partnerships at RCSI. Photography: Jason Clarke Photography

Meanwhile, a €5 million research program for breast cancer was also announced.

The PRISM (Precision Oncology Research Initiative for Metastatic Breast Cancer) program includes researchers including from University College Cork, Breast Cancer Ireland and pharmaceutical company Carrick Therapeutics.

Led by Professor Leonie Young as director and Dr Damir Vareslija as co-director, this is the first national longitudinal study for patients with advanced breast cancer.

Aisling Hurley, chief executive of Breast Cancer Ireland, said they hope to “better understand and target the mechanisms by which breast cancer spreads – metastasis – and consequently develop new and more effective treatments”.

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