Of the 56,000 cancers diagnosed in the UK each year, 11,000 women and men die of breast cancer. This averages out at 150 people every day. Clearly, in order to save lives, the early detection of breast cancer is crucial.
“Many women say they’re scared and don’t feel confident in checking themselves out. And that fear can easily turn into obsession. But by calmly discussing breast health, that anxiety can be reduced.”
“I invite anyone wanting to discuss their risk of breast cancer to be empowered and to learn how to examine their breasts correctly. GPs have no time to demonstrate this but it’s important for a woman to be familiar with her own body and recognise any changes including to her breasts.”
Of the 56,000 cancers diagnosed in the UK each year, 11,000 women and men die of breast cancer. This averages out at 150 people every day. Clearly, in order to save lives, the early detection of breast cancer is crucial.
Laura Naylor, Wythenshawe Hospital’s senior clinical nurse specialist in breast cancer awareness is now offering patients, and anyone concerned about their breast health, the benefits of her 20 years’ experience in her new, private Breast Cancer Awareness Clinic in Mobberley – the region’s first.
20 years as a vocational nurse and the ‘right-hand woman’ of esteemed oncologist Lester Barr, this 40-year-old mother-of-two is determined to allay women’s fears of breast cancer. By increasing their understanding of the illness and providing practical and quite literally hands-on advice about breast health, Laura highlights the significance of regular, monthly self-breast checks. She also offers patients a luxury that our overloaded NHS simply cannot provide – namely, the time to listen. Moreover, there is presently no clinic in the north where, if you are asymptomatic but worried, you can quietly go to be checked out, educated, advised and hopefully reassured about your situation.
Laura says: “I invite anyone wanting to discuss their risk of breast cancer to be empowered and to learn how to examine their breasts correctly. GPs have no time to demonstrate this but it’s important for a woman to be familiar with her own body and recognise any changes including to her breasts.
“Many women say they’re scared and don’t feel confident in checking themselves out. And that fear can easily turn into obsession. But by calmly discussing breast health, that anxiety can be reduced. Anyone worried, wanting to be better informed, interested due to a family history of the illness or with experience of this cancer, will regard an annual breast check-up as making sense.”
Laura explains how to check one’s breasts saying: “You use the pads of your fingers and move in a zig-zag motion from the top of your chest to your armpit and then up into the neck where your lymph nodes are. You then move down underneath the breast looking in the mirror for any spots on the skin or contour changes.
“If you check yourself at the same time each month, you’ll know what’s normal for you and also recognise what is not normal for you. Some women struggle to touch their breasts and are scared to examine them. If that’s the case, they can come to see me at my clinic in Mobberley.”
Calm, experienced and committed to helping everyone worried about breast health, Laura Naylor would love to hear from you so do contact her to discuss any concerns.
Email: info@breastawareness.co.uk | website: www.breastawareness.co.uk
By Fay Wertheimer
