UK Meds Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Day

On Wednesday the 18th of October, the team at UK Meds showed support for Breast Cancer Awareness Day and the vital cause of breast cancer awareness. In a display of unity and solidarity, the team came into our office wearing pink and also brought in various sweet treats, all of which were also decorated in pink, the colour of breast cancer awareness. 

It is with pride that we announce that we also donated £500 to Breast Cancer Now, an esteemed organisation that has been at the forefront of breast cancer research and support for over 50 years. Breast Cancer Now’s vision for the future is that everyone diagnosed with breast cancer in 2050 will live and will also receive support to live well. 

Joe Soiza, director of UK Meds, said, “UK Meds is proud to support Breast Cancer Now this Breast Cancer Awareness Month. By supporting Breast Cancer Now, we hope that we can play a small role in the research and support needed to fight this terrible disease.”

The severity of breast cancer should not be understated. According to Cancer Research UK, there are around 55,000 new breast cancer cases every year in the United Kingdom, which is over 100 a day. 23% of these cases are thought to have been preventable. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the United Kingdom, making up 15% of all new cancer cases. 

Thankfully, due to the research conducted by charities such as Breast Cancer Now, breast cancer survival rates have more than doubled in the last 50 years. It is predicted that around 76% of women will survive for at least 10 years after being diagnosed. Despite this, between 2016 and 2018 there were 11,000 deaths attributed to breast cancer in the United Kingdom.

Checking for breast cancer involves a combination of self-examinations and examinations done by a doctor. It is recommended that you examine your breasts regularly. You should do this by conducting a breast self-examination. Here are some tips for conducting a self-examination:

• Stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your side with your breasts exposed

• Look for any visible changes in the size, shape and position of the breasts

• Raise your arms above your head and look for changes

• Lay down on your back, use the pads of your fingers and feel for lumps in your breasts in a circular motion.

• Move from the outside of your breasts inwards, ensuring to check all of your breasts and armpit

• Gently squeeze your nipple to check for discharge

If you would like advice about breast cancer treatment and diagnosis, it is recommended that you speak to your doctor or healthcare provider. Every woman registered with a GP will be invited to a free breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53 and will be invited back to have another every 3 years until she reaches the age of 71. 

You can also find information about breast screening services near you via the NHS if you believe that you require a screening.