October 9, 1995. Copyright, 1995, Graphic News. All rights reserved

EMBARGO: Announcement of Europe Against Cancer Week Embargoed Until 01.00AM on Monday 9th October.

EUROPE-WIDE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER
By Nicholas Booth, Science Editor.

LONDON, October 9, Graphic News Ñ A major new initiative is launched today to promote cancer awareness in Europe. Europe Against Cancer Week was launched with a new code of practice agreed by health ministers and experts in each member country of the European Commission. At a press conference in London today, research undertaken for the Commission revealed that almost half the British population (47%) believe there is little they can do to prevent cancer.

The reality is that a lot can done and experts hope that the public will get the message that awareness is half of the battle.  In particular, doctors highlighted breast cancer, which claims nearly 16,000 lives in Britain alone each year. This month is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month and on Wednesday, breast screening units in hospitals throughout Britain will be open to the public to highlight the disease and to allay fears of the general public.  Britain has the highest mortality rate from breast cancer in Europe, a situation which could easily be reduced if the older female population became more "breast aware."

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, with 26,000 new cases reported each year in Britain. The causes are not well known but seem to be related to modern lifestyles as incidences have grown rapidly since the Second World War. Hormones are most likely involved and research has shown that late childbearing, early menstruation and late menopause seem to increase the risks of developing breast cancer. "Unfortunately, the most important risk factors are simply being female and getting older," says Julietta Patnick, national coordinator of the NHS Breast Cancer Screening Programme.

The Programme has been successful in using mammograms Ð taking X-rays of the breasts Ð to detect lumps sooner and when they are smaller, at which point they are easier to treat. A free mammogram service is available to women over the age of fifty in Britain when breast cancer incidences become statistically significant. This Wednesday's series of open days around the country are expected to highlight the work of screening units. 

Ultimately, warn cancer experts, fear remains the main reason why many women ignore the calls to attend clinics or delay reporting their symptoms. Mrs. Patnick points out that only 4 or 5 women in a thousand are found to have malignancies which can often be treated  if diagnosed in time. Better breast awareness involves women looking out for unusual or persistent changes in their breasts, including feelings of discomfort or pain or changes in the size of each breast or nipples. The majority of breast cancers diagnosed outside screening are found by the women themselves. And, doctors say, between screenings, women should examine themselves regularly and not delay reporting lumps to their local G.P.

Sources: Cancer Research Campaign, NHS Breast Screening Programme, Europe Against Cancer Week


LOCAL HOSPITALS PARTICIPATING

As this story was written, the complete list was not finished. Not all hospital screening units are having open days. For up-to-date information, call Janet Rafferty at Clear Communication, the agency dealing with the NHS Breast Screening Programme. Janet Rafferty can be reached at: (0171) 734 2022.

For further information about breast cancer, please contact

Breast Cancer Care
KIln House
210 New Kings Road
London SW6 4NZ.
Helpline - (0171) 384 2344
Freephone: (0500) 245 345

NHS Breast Screening Programme
The Manor House
260 Eccleshall Road South
Sheffield S11 9PS
Tel: (01142) 820357

Graphic News has a partial list as of October 5th and we would be happy to give you the relevant contacts.

/ENDS