Cobalt encourages staff to be breast aware
We held workshops in October for Cobalt staff encouraging them to check their breasts, helping them to recognise their breast cancer risk and discussing ways they can reduce it.
During the sessions our Cancer Prevention Team pointed out the symptoms/breast changes that need to be checked. Sue White, Cancer Prevention Coordinator said ‘Being breast aware and checking should be a natural part of caring for your body and not something to worry about, Most breast changes are not cancer but they should be checked and we will urge staff to speak to their GP if they ever notice a breast change that is not normal for them’.
Please watch the videos here:
Because of Cobalt’s work our staff understand the importance of early diagnosis and are aware it can and does save many lives. The workshops identified the healthy lifestyle choices that can reduce a person’s risk of getting some cancers and other conditions including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
If you think your workplace/social club would benefit from one of Cobalt’s free talks please contact Sue or Aileen 01242 535905 or email sue.white@cobalthealth.co.uk aileen.ronaldson@cobalthealth.co.uk
Cobalt has a long history of supporting initiatives to diagnose breast cancer earlier enabling more timely treatment, increasing the chances of a positive outcome. A history which includes the provision of a whole body x-ray scanner for the diagnosis of cancer for the oncology unit at Cheltenham General Hospital in 1982 and providing accommodation for the Gloucestershire Breast Screening service, initially from our head office at Linton House, Thirlestaine Road from 1989.
More recently in 2009 we supported a campaign to raise £5.1m for an integrated breast service, with state of the art equipment at Thirlestaine Breast Centre and funded digital mammography equipment for the County Hospital Hereford in 2012.
Our risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer. It’s the most common cancer in women, however, although rare, men can get it too, so it is equally important for both sexes to check themselves regularly. Risks can increase when people are overweight, consume high amounts of alcohol or are physically inactive.
It’s not all doom and gloom. Survival rates are high in Gloucestershire at 96.7% and survival has doubled over the last 40 years in the UK.
For further information go to our cancer topics page
