Breast cancer in Northern Ireland
Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow and divide in an uncontrolled way and eventually form a growth called a tumour.
There are over 1,400 newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer in Northern Ireland each year. Breast cancer is currently the most common type of cancer diagnosed in women from Northern Ireland and the lifetime risk for women in Northern Ireland developing the disease is currently 1 in 10.
Although diagnosis rates have increased, survival rates have also improved and at the end of 2017 there were almost 16,000 females living in Northern Ireland who had been diagnosed with breast cancer between 1993-2017.
Breast cancer risk increases with age and most breast cancer will occur in women over the age of 50. However, the disease can affect people of any age as breast cancer is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women under 40 years old.
Although breast cancer affects mainly women, men can also get breast cancer and 11 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Northern Ireland each year.
This information was obtained from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, December 2019.
What happens if I am diagnosed with breast cancer?
If your GP feels your symptoms need further assessment then they will refer you to a specialist breast cancer clinic for further tests, which may include a mammogram or a biopsy. Further information on how breast cancer is diagnosed can be found on the NHS website.
If you are diagnosed with breast cancer you will be offered treatment and care from a team of breast cancer specialists. Treatment may include one or a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.
Treatment for cancer may take place at one of the main Cancer Centres within Northern Ireland which are in Belfast City Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital. Or it may take place at one of the cancer treatment units and these are located at Antrim Hospital, Craigavon Hospital, the Ulster Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital.
If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with breast cancer there are numerous support services available to help you and your family cope with and beyond a breast cancer diagnosis. Pretty ‘n Pink are here for you and we can help with the financial, emotional, mental, and health impact of breast cancer.
Further information on cancer support services is available on our website or by visiting our Information & Support Hub at Unit 2, The Park Centre, Donegal Road in Belfast. Get in touch with us on 02890 347780, email us at info@prettynpink.org, or get in touch via the online form.
Further information on breast cancer can be found on the NHS website.