'Prevention and early detection are key'

The advice from the Public Health Agency (PHA) comes during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Survival rates for the disease are improving thanks to earlier diagnosis and better treatment. However, breast cancer is still the second most common form of cancer among women in Northern Ireland; after skin cancer. Each year, 1,000 new cases are diagnosed locally and over 300 women die from the disease.

“Prevention and early detection are key to saving lives,” said Dr Adrian Mairs, Consultant in Public Health, PHA. “It is important to be breast aware and know how your breasts look and feel at different times of the month in order to detect any changes that are not normal for you. This can be done in the shower, bath or when dressing.”