Right then. I want you to make yourself a drink - any drink of your choosing - and sit down comfortably.
I am going to talk to you about a subject that I have spoken about before. We are going to talk about breasts. whether you call them bazonkas, baps, muffins or even cupcakes, they are the exact ones that I will be talking about.
Personally, I call mine Betty and Barbara. Why am I bringing it up now, you may be wondering? Well, it’s because I’ve just taken Betty and Barbara for their photos.
Yes, I’m talking about my mammogram. From the age of 50 up to 71, every three years or round about that, you will be invited to go along to have your mammogram and I’m hoping that all you ladies plod along and have yours.
You don’t even have to go all the way up to the hospital. No, I had mine done in the diagnostic centre in the Glass Works; it’s so much nicer, quicker and parking is much easier.
Now, I’m guessing that most of you will know someone who has either had breast cancer, is fighting the bloody thing or heaven forbid has a personal experience with it, but did you know that breast cancer is still the most common type of cancer in women in the UK?
Most women that will be diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50 but that does not mean to say that younger women will not get it, because they can.
About one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Now, did you know that in England one woman will be diagnosed every ten minutes? That’s about 46,000 people are diagnosed each year.
Did you notice that I said people, then, and not just women? Yes, that’s because men can also get it, so you men also need to look for changes and check regularly.
About 11,000 women and 85 men will die from breast cancer each year - that’s nearly 1,000 deaths a month. It’s scary, isn’t it?
But, also be aware that the recovery from it is really high if it is detected in time. I say it over and over: if you find or see something that doesn’t look or feel quite right you pick up that phone and you make an appointment to see a doctor.
Here’s a strange fact. Did you know that breast cancer is more common in the left breast than the right one? But please remember that any thickening or swelling, any irritation or dimpling of the breast skin, any redness or flaky skin around the nipple area or discharge should always be reported to a doctor.
I know that I’m going on, I just need you all to be breast aware. They’re yours. Get to know them. Tell your husbands, boyfriends or girlfriends to tell you if they feel something different. And get it checked out ASAP if so.
Doctors have seen it all. It’s no good laying in bed at night worrying about if it could be something, put your mind at rest.
You can also phone the information helpline on 0808 800 6000. For breast screening in Barnsley, the number is 01226 432100. Remember: it only takes a few minutes every so often.
Go on! They’re yours have a good feel!
