Education and awareness are so important when it comes breast cancer prevention

Sara Sidner, 51, delivered the emotional announcement on her CNN news broadcast and delivered some stark statistics about the disease.

"Just take a second to recall the names of eight women who you love and know in your life. Just count them on your fingers," she told viewers.

“Statistically, one of them will get or have breast cancer. I am that one of eight in my friend group.”

Sidner then shared that she is in the second month of chemotherapy and plans to have a double mastectomy, which is the surgical removal of both breasts.

This breast cancer treatment or prevention may be recommended when cancer is found in both breasts or there's a high risk of developing breast cancer.

The journalist also shared a shocking statistic while speaking about her diagnosis.

"Stage three is not a death sentence anymore for the vast majority of women but here is the reality that really shocked my system when I started to research more about breast cancer.

“If you happen to be a black woman, you are 41 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than your white counterparts. 41 percent,” she explained.

"So, to all my sisters - black, white, and brown - please, for the love of God, get your mammograms, do your self-exams, try to catch it before I did."

“When I got the news, I didn’t tell anybody, not even my mother or husband or sisters or friends. I just needed to process it,” Sidner added.

“I have never been sick a day of my life. I don’t smoke. I rarely drink. Breast cancer does not run in my family. And, yet, here I am, with stage 3 breast cancer. It is hard to say out loud."

Despite her diagnosis, the broadcaster has chosen to continue practicing gratitude as she adjusts to living with cancer.

“Now, here’s something I could never, ever have predicted would happen to me: I have thanked cancer for choosing me," Sidner said.

“I’m learning that no matter what hell we go through in life, I am still madly in love with this life. And just being alive feels really different for me now.

“I am here with my co-anchors, my colleagues, my family and I can love and cry and laugh and hope and that, my dear friends, is enough.”

According to Breast Cancer Ireland, Ireland sees 3,700 new cases diagnosed yearly

One in nine women will develop breast cancer in their course of their lifetime, with male breast cancer one in 1,000.

Women between the ages of 20 and 25 account for 23% of women diagnosed, while 34% of women are diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 69.

Meanwhile, 36% of women are diagnosed over the age of 70.

How to check your breasts:

It is important to check your breasts once a month, according to the Marie Keating Foundation.

The week after your period has ended is the best time to perform a self-exam. If you are in menopause, check your breasts around the same time every month.

Check your breasts in front of a mirror so you can look for changes. Look for:

• If one of your breasts has gotten larger or lower. Remember that it is normal for your breasts to be different sizes. You are looking for a change in size of one of your breasts.
• If any veins stand out more than usual for you
• Puckering, dimpling or redness of the skin
• Check nipples for any changes such as redness, crusting, or change in shape or direction

Some women also find it more comfortable to check their breasts while they are in the shower so that they can feel for changes. 

Check for:

• Lumps
• Thickening of breast tissue
• Bumpy areas that seem different from other breast tissue

Remember, check your armpits and collar bone.

Marie Keating Foundation - How to check your breasts from Combined Media on Vimeo.

If you are not sure how to check your breasts, ask your GP or practice nurse next time you are visiting. There is no shame or judgement when it comes to our health.

According to the HSE, breast cancer symptoms can include:

• a lump in either breast
• a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
• dimpling on the skin of your breasts
• a lump or swelling in either armpit
• bloodstained discharge from either nipple
• a rash on or around your nipple
• a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast

The HSE urges anyone with symptoms of breast cancer to see a GP right away.

Breast screening in Ireland

People from the ages of 50 to 69 will be offered breast screening every two years, and the first invitation depends on when screening is available in your area.

This is normally within two years of a person's 50th birthday (Due to COVID-19, some may be 53 when they get their first invitation).

Details should automatically be on the register.

However, if you fall under this age bracket and did not get a letter, check your name is on the breast screening register, or call the Freephone number on 18004545 55.

If you are not between the age 50 and 69, you are not eligible for breast screening but should contact your GP immediately should you have any of the above symptoms.