While most people associate alcohol with liver disease, far fewer realise it also increases the risk of several cancers, including breast cancer, said strategic screening lead Diane Mathews.
‘Research shows that even one alcoholic drink a day can increase breast cancer risk by around 7 to 10%, with the risk rising as alcohol consumption increases,’ she said.
‘This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want islanders to know how they can reduce their risk and how important it is to become familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts or chest.
‘Knowing what is normal for you means you are more likely to notice a change early and seek advice promptly.’
This October’s campaign pairs that message with a second – the importance of checking regularly for unusual changes.
Ms Mathews said knowing ‘the normal look and feel’ of your breasts or chest made it more likely that any change would be spotted early and checked promptly.
Breast nurse consultant Suzanne Halliday said the single most important thing was to check at regular intervals, even for those unsure how.
‘Get to know what’s normal for you and give it a try,’ she said, suggesting people pick a set date each month, or just after a period, to remember.
Signs to look and feel for, she said, include changes in skin texture, lumps or thickening, nipple discharge, nipple inversion or a change in direction, swelling in the armpit or around the collarbone, a sudden change in size or shape, constant or unusual pain, or an unusual appearance to the nipple or skin.
Anyone who notices something different should see their doctor, who may refer them to the breast clinic.
Breast cancer is the third-most common cancer on the island, after skin and prostate cancer, and between 2020 and 2022 an average of 12 to 13 islanders died from it each year.
‘While not all breast cancers can be prevented,’ Ms Halliday said, ‘reducing modifiable risk factors and identifying changes early can improve outcomes and save lives.’
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