Links to further information:
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-topics/breast-cancer/
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Cancer cells are your own body cells that are out of control and keep multiplying and can spread both to surrounding breast tissue and to other parts of the body.
The best treatment for breast cancer is detecting it at an early stage. In New Zealand, all women between the ages of 45 to 70 are encouraged to have a mammogram every 2 years. This is worth doing as mammograms can detect pre-cancerous changes or breast cancers at an early stage when treatment is more successful.
Key Points:
- Women: - make sure you have a screening mammogram (test to pick up early signs) every 2 years from age 45 to 70 years of age
- Men - encourage your wives/partners to have this test done
- If you find a breast lump, see your doctor to have it checked
- The risk of breast cancer increases with age and positive family history
- If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, read these sections for further information and seek help from supporting agencies
 | Breast cancer - videos, tutorials, extensive library of resources |  | |
| Breast Cancer Video Part 1 of 3 | Faultline Productions | |
| Maori | |||
 | What is breast cancer? | National Screening Unit - NZ | |
| Videos - Breast awareness campaign | NZ Breast Cancer Foundation | |
| Breat cancer - introduction | NHS Choices | |
| Frequently asked questions about the screening programme | National Screening Unit - NZ | |
| Videos - Breast awareness campaign | NZ Breast Cancer Foundation | |
 | Breastscreen resources in multiple languages | National Screening Unit - NZ | |
| Multiple Languages | |||
| Being Active When You Have Cancer |  | 2 Pages |
| Living with Breast Cancer | NHS Choices | |
| webpage & videos | |||
| Questions to ask your doctor | Best Health - UK | |
| Support for positive lives with secondary breast cancer | Sweet Louise | |
| Symptoms of breast cancer | NHS Choices | |
| Diagnosing breast cancer | NHS Choices | |
| Reliable UK website, but some information may be different | |||
| Breast awareness | National Screening Unit - NZ | |
| If I have a new lump in my breast - video explaining what to expect | | |
Treatments & Medication
The treatment plan for each woman with breast cancer is different so talk with your doctor and oncologist (cancer specialist) when you have questions about treatment options or medications.
| What treatments work for breast cancer? | Best Health - UK | |
| Breast cancer treatment | NHS Choices | |
| NZ Guideline - Management of early breast cancer - 2009 |  | |
Support
Every woman who is diagnosed with breast cancer needs support. This can be in the form of information, someone to talk with who knows what it's like, support groups through to emotional support and practical help around the house or with the family. Don't struggle on your own. Talk with someone!
| Personal stories | National Screening Unit - NZ | |
| Available in English & Maori | Maori | ||
| What can you do for someone who is diagnosed? | NZ Breast Cancer Foundation | |
| Support for positive lives with secondary breast cancer | Sweet Louise | |
| NZ Breast Cancer facts & statistics | NZ Breast Cancer Foundation | |
| Breast cancer - videos, tutorials, extensive library of resources | | |
Date last reviewed