Dr McAleese points out that over 600 women under 50 were diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland in 2007 and 455 of these women were in their 40s.
Under 50s breast cancer cases make up around 25% of the total of around 2,500 new cases each year, with the 40 to 50 year age-group making up 18% of the total. It should be remembered that by the time women present with symptoms of breast cancer, it can often be quite advanced and may have spread. Around one-in-five are presenting with metastatic or secondary breast cancer at first presentation.
There is no doubt that finding cancer as early as possible gives a large survival advantage in any age group. The Government, the National Cancer Control Programme and Breast Check, however, give out the massage that breast cancer screening is for the over 50. This is despite the fact that the risk of breast cancer starts to increase in your early 40s. There is little or nothing out there for women under 50 without symptoms who might be concerned about the risk of breast cancer.
Women up to age 40 have a one in 220 chances of developing breast cancer, but this rises to one in 50 up to age 50. This risk rises to one in 20 up to age 60. The major rise in breast cancer risk begins in a woman’s fourth decade, Dr McAleese says.
That is why, she says, the American Cancer Society still advises annual mammograms for women starting at age 40. In addition, many other countries, as well as having a basic screening service from age 50, also give the option for women from 35 years to avail of screening.
Between 2000 and 2007, the number of breast cancer cases in women between 40 and 50 rose by 35%, which is almost the same rate at which it increased in women between 50 and 60.
Dr McAleese says better access to mammography and ultrasound screening for women under 50 years must be facilitated. This is why Survive and Thrive was born. If we can raise awareness and request screening to be made available to women under 50yrs, perhaps we will be able to make a change and save lives.
“We are not calling for general screening for breast cancer for the under 50s, as exists for the over 50s, but we are saying that if women between 40 and 50 want to be screened they should be able to readily avail of it through BreastCheck. That would be the ideal solution.”
She points out that in Northern Ireland, a free screening mammography service is available to women from 40 years of age, without GP referral letter. “This is run by charity. Why can’t this be done in the South? Why do women have to have GP referral letter in this age group when they are clearly at risk?”
Any support is warmly welcomed. Please see the petition below if you would like to help make a difference.
The contact number of Survive and Thrive is 086 823 1593.
To read more about breast cancer prevention
click here
www.breastcancer.org
www.cancermath.net
