Working with a mother who has been diagnosed with cancer
There are around 55,900 new breast cancer cases in the UK every year and research shows that breast cancer is reported in 1 in every 3,000 pregnancies. Most women are between 32 and 38 years old at diagnosis. Most are able to carry on with their pregnancy. (Cancer Research UK)
Mummy’s Star is the only charity in the UK and Ireland dedicated to women and their families diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy or within 12 months of giving birth. Their mission is to provide cancer support to every family facing this traumatic situation.
Mummy’s Star support women and their families diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy or within 12 months of giving birth by providing:
- Peer support
- Advice and guidance
- Advocacy on behalf of mum
- Small grants programme
- On going awareness
- Mythbusting
- in bereavement – Widowers Networks and therapeutic support for children
“What has become really apparent is that is we over complicate a possibly simple situation for some of these Mums, and we over simplify when they should be given lots of choice and the options should be open to them”.
– Pete Wallroth, CEO, Mummy’s Star
Watch Pete Wallroth, CEO, Mummy’s Star presentation with the Maternity and Midwifery Forum here:
Breast self-exam
Regularly examining your breasts on your own, can be an important way to find a breast cancer early, when it’s more likely to be treated successfully.
Breast self-exam is a convenient, no-cost tool that you can use on a regular basis and at any age.
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:
- A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit
- A change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling
- A change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look red or inflamed
- A nipple change, for example it has become pulled in (inverted)
- Rash or crusting around the nipple
- Unusual liquid (discharge) from either nipple
- Changes in size or shape of the breast
Find Breast Cancer Resources for Healthcare Professionals here.
