During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NHS Western Isles also promoted the ‘wee c’. The ‘wee c’ is the Scottish campaign highlighting that, not only is cancer not what it used to be but, thanks to earlier detection, research breakthroughs and treatment advances, more people are surviving cancer than ever before.

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women with 1 in 8 women being diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives.

Most breast changes aren’t due to breast cancer, but the sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment may be.

Around 1 in 8 women in Scotland are likely to develop breast cancer, but you’re five times more likely to survive the disease if it’s caught in its earliest stage.  It is important that you get to know how your breasts look and feel so you know what is normal for you.  You can then feel more confident about noticing any unusual changes.

If you’re worried about a symptom, or you notice any unusual change in your body, don’t let fear or embarrassment stop you from getting it checked – visit your GP. It’s probably nothing but if it is something, they have a better chance of successfully treating it if it’s caught early.  So, don’t get scared, get checked.

NHS Western Isles in conjunction with Scottish Government produced a small concertina leaflet promoting Breast awareness. This was launched at a “Highland Hustle” event in Stornoway on the 16th October. Over 20 women attended this event and were given a talk on the importance of breast awareness before the dance session begun.

During the month of October workplaces in the Western Isles were invited to “pink days” where they wore pink clothing and organised tea partys, themed games and information stalls to raise to raise awareness of women’s health and cancers. Breast self-examination models were also given out to groups to learn how they should be examining themselves and the things they should be checking for.

This includes Cobhair Bharraigh, who will be offering breast health promotion sessions.

Cancer, don’t get scared, get checked.