9 things you should know about breast cancer

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EDIYesterday I attended the launch by Europa Donna Ireland (EDI) of  a leaflet highlighting the 9 things every woman in Ireland should know about breast cancer. It is the first time a mass distribution of a cancer leaflet has been done to most households in the country, with a priority given to remote rural regions and urban areas where women’s and community development groups and BreastCheck are actively increasing awareness.

 Speaking at the launch, Christine Murphy Whyte, Chairperson of EDI said: “Information on breast cancer can be very complex and the sheer volume available can be very confusing and daunting for many women. However, with six people being diagnosed every day in Ireland, every woman – young and old – needs to be equipped with the most important basic facts about this disease. “Our leaflet distills crucial information into 9 illustrated points which are easy to read and remember but accurate and vitally important,” continued Ms Murphy Whyte. “They cover your risk of getting breast cancer and most importantly, what you can do to reduce your risk, what to look out for and when and where to get checked out, as well as dispelling some commonly held myths.” The leaflet will be delivered next week by An Post to over three quarters of a million Irish households.  She said. “We felt the time was right to get these important messages out to women, because the sooner breast cancer is found the better your chance of surviving it.

EDI’s aim was to produce something that was accessible to everyone. In drafting the leaflet, EDI worked with women at a grassroots level through the Disability Equality Specialist Support Agency (DESSA) and the National Women’s Council. The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) vetted the final draft to ensure all messages were easy to understand. At the launch well known Irish author Cathy Kelly gave her support to the leaflet and urged women to read it, keep it and regularly revisit it. Author and recent Late Late Show guest Emma Hannigan spoke about her own experience with breast cancer and the book she has written, Designer Genes.

More information on the EDI website europadonnaireland.ie

Category : Advocacy, Breaast Cancer in Ireland
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