Rochdale surgeon says stay breast aware to keep survival figures rising

Mr Simon Ellenbogen, a Consultant Breast Surgeon at BMI The Highfield Hospital

It is still the second biggest cancer killer in the UK and next year another 55,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

According to leading cancer charities, better awareness, better screening and better treatments now mean we are winning the battle to beat breast cancer.

Figures released by Breast Cancer Care UK show that more than eight out of 10 (85%) women now survive breast cancer beyond five years and an estimated 78% survive for 10 years or more.

With Breast Cancer Awareness Month running throughout October, Mr Simon Ellenbogen, a Consultant Breast Surgeon at BMI The Highfield Hospital in Manchester Road, Rochdale, says: “We are winning the battle but the fight must go on.”

He warned that, despite major improvements, around 12,000 UK women still die of breast cancer every year and he stressed that early detection was crucial to improving survival rates.

“Breast health is something that can so easily be overlooked but the recent statistics show that with increased awareness and through high-profile media campaigns we can influence the behaviour of women across the UK.

“We need to ensure that every woman knows how to carry out effective self-check procedures and, just as importantly, what to do if she thinks something is wrong.

“It is important to get an early appointment with a GP to discuss the matter. The patient will then receive informed advice and, if necessary, be placed on the healthcare pathway and receive the necessary advice, help and treatments.”

Mr Ellenbogen said women should look out for any of the following symptoms during their breast check:

• Painless lumps in the breast
• Changes in the size or shape of a breast
• Dimpling to the skin of the breast
• Thickened breast tissue
• Nipple inversion 
• Lump or thickening behind the nipple
• Rash affecting the nipple
• Blood-stained discharge from the nipple 
• Swelling or a new lump in the armpit
• Clear nipple discharge coming from one side.