Mum issues Halloween breast cancer plea

An Oldham charity worker has used the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month to make a cheeky appeal to people everywhere - “Make sure you cop a feel.”

Caroline Yates survived the condition through bouts of chemo and radiotherapy at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

Speaking at a pre-Halloween meeting (which is coincidentally the close of the world campaign), she told members of the Inner Wheel club that they might avoid the horror of serious illness if they examine their breasts regularly.

And the case for self-assessment is all-the-more pressing, because cancer screening services are stretched and old-fashioned notions are strangling the early diagnosis that brings better chances of survival.

Mum Caroline, who works at Oldham good cause Endometriosis Awareness North, said: “I found a lump and made an urgent appointment and was seen within two weeks.

"Hearing the C word in October 2019, aged 52 years, I was enraged, angered, and scared.

"But I kept calm and having a supportive family, finding out as much as possible and making time for myself, I started my treatment.

“It was not easy to go through the surgery, chemotherapy, losing my hair, choosing not to wear a wig and then radiotherapy.

"But on February 19, 2022, I underwent the final stage of my treatment – I had reconstruction on my other breast to even the two sides.

"Now, I am CANCER FREE!

"My hair has grown back, and I am a lovely shade of blonde/grey, and my wig?

"Well, that is still in the box in the wardrobe!”

Her plea was backed by women’s health expert, Dr Anita Sharma (pictured below), GP and creator of Endometriosis Awareness North, who said: “I cannot emphasise how important it is to check regularly and attend mammogram appointments.

"NHS England figures showed an alarming 44 per cent fall in the number of women who were screened for the disease nationally in 2020-21.

"Undoubtedly, COVID made a huge impact on this, stretching resources and creating a reluctance on behalf of patients to join a longer than usual waiting list.

"As a member of the BAME community myself, I am also aware that embarrassment and decisions made on screening by other members of the family, play a part.”

The Breast Cancer Now charity recommends that when checking, you should look for:

A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit
A change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling
A change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look red or inflamed
A nipple change, for example it has become pulled in (inverted)
Rash or crusting around the nipple
Unusual liquid (discharge) from either nipple
Changes in size or shape of the breast

Find out more here

Dr Sharma continued: "In the UK, there are approximately 56,000 new cases of breast cancer every year.

"The survival rate has increased to 80% living for over a decade or more following diagnosis, but I stress again, success is greater when you get diagnosed early.

“Although the instance is much rarer, anyone can get breast cancer and I would urge men for example, to be more body aware and report any significant changes or worries to their GP.”

Aside from addressing the professional women at the Inner Wheel in Rochdale, Caroline recently relayed her life experience to an international gathering of medics and junior doctors at the University of Central Lancashire.

With branches across the world, the Inner Wheel is a club promoting friendship, service, community and understanding.

Endometriosis Awareness North aims to raise awareness and improve the quality of diagnosis and care of a condition that leads to HALF of its sufferers having suicidal thoughts.

Learn more about the charity at: https://endometriosisawarenessnorth.com/

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.