It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the UK. Annual campaigns and fundraisers are taking place across the country, highlighting the importance of research and education, but what services are being provided in the local area, to help men and women living with breast cancer?
According to Breast Cancer Now and Cancer Research UK, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK accounting for 15% of all new cancer cases. 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime with one woman being diagnosed every 10 minutes. 350 men are diagnosed each year. Despite these staggering statistics, there is hope.
Pioneering research into treatments such as targeted biological therapies and national breast screening programmes, has meant that 130,000 UK breast cancer deaths have been avoided in the last 30 years and death rates for women have fallen by 44%.
Locally, services such as the Mulberry centre in Isleworth, in the grounds of West Middlesex University Hospital, are indispensable for providing crucial support for patients, relatives and carers. In a friendly, non-clinical environment, they provide a wide range of services completely free of charge. With a monthly structured timetable, which they email to their clients, it includes a comprehensive variety of wellbeing classes, informative workshops and social and creative activities. These include: yoga, painting, creative writing, relaxation techniques and table tennis. They also offer complementary therapies such as massage, acupuncture and reflexology. Additionally, they provide emotional support with one on one counselling and group counselling for patients, carers and the bereaved.
By the end of this month nearly 5,000 people will have been diagnosed with breast cancer. How can you help the cause? By campaigning for better access to drugs, donating to your local services and charities, or simply encouraging the women in your life to be breast aware, any form of support will help the fight against breast cancer.
By Emma Barker
