Breast Implants Information for women considering breast implants

Breast Implants Information for women considering breast implants The information in this booklet is being provided for women considering the option of breast implant surgery. The aim of the booklet is to assist women in making an informed choice about breast implants before opting for surgery. The information has been compiled by a subcommittee of the Advisory Committee for Medical Devices at the Irish Medicines Board and has included consultation with health professionals and representatives of interested organisations.  Download the PDF

MYC regulation of a "poor-prognosis" metastatic cancer cell state.

Gene expression signatures are used in the clinic as prognostic tools to determine the risk of individual patients with localized breast tumors developing distant metastasis. We lack a clear understanding, however, of whether these correlative biomarkers link to a common biological network that regulates metastasis. We find that the c-MYC oncoprotein coordinately regulates the expression of 13 different "poor-outcome" cancer signatures. In addition, functional inactivation of MYC in human breast cancer cells specifically inhibits distant metastasis in vivo and invasive behavior in vitro of these cells. These results suggest that MYC oncogene activity (as marked by "poor-prognosis" signature expression) may be necessary for the translocation of poor-outcome human breast tumors to distant sites.

Quality Assurance Standards for Symptomatic Breast Disease Services

Quality Assurance Standards for Symptomatic Breast Disease Services People in Ireland have a right to expect that medical care be of good quality. They expect that standards of care are consistently high. They expect that access to care is easy, speedy, effective and efficient. Society expects quality of care to measure up to international norms of good practice. Such assurance can be given by auditing the quality of activity. Click here to download PDF 606kb

Report on the Independent Review of Symptomatic Breast Care Services at Barringtons Hospital, Limerick

Report on the Independent Review of Symptomatic Breast Care Services at Barringtons Hospital, Limerick This independent review was established by Barringtons Hospital and the Department of Health and Children following concerns which had been raised about the standard of symptomatic breast care including cancer services at the Hospital. The terms of reference for the review are included at Appendix 1. An independent review team was established under the chairmanship of Dr Henrietta Campbell. The membership is listed at Appendix 2. Click here to download PDF 152kb

A Review of the Bio-medical Evidence on Breast, Ovarian and Cervical Cancer

This review aims to provide good quality, up-to-date biomedical evidence of the therapies available to women in Ireland to treat breast, cervical and ovarian cancer. This review summarises evidence from guidelines and high quality studies. It should be noted however that scientific evidence is not infallible, and knowledge in this field is constantly evolving. The evidence summarised in this review presents the current consensus. Download document here   Download summary of report

Metabolic syndrome and the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Only a few small studies investigated the association between postmenopausal breast cancer and metabolic syndrome (MetS) as a single entity. Materials and methods: We analyzed the data of two Italian and Swiss case-control studies conducted between 1983 and 2007, including 3869 postmenopausal women with incident breast cancer and 4082 postmenopausal controls admitted to the same hospitals as cases for acute conditions. MetS was defined as the presence of at least three components among diabetes, drug-treated hypertension, drug-treated hyperlipidemia, and obesity. RESULTS: The odds ratios (ORs) of postmenopausal breast cancer were 1.33 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-1.62] for diabetes, 1.19 (95% CI 1.07-1.33) for hypertension, 1.08 (95% CI 0.95-1.22) for hyperlipidemia, 1.26 (95% CI 1.11-1.44) for body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2), and 1.22 (95% CI 1.09-1.36) for waist circumference ≥88 cm. The risk of postmenopausal breast cancer was significantly increased for women with MetS (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.37-2.22, for three or more MetS components, P for trend for increasing number of components < 0.0001) and the risk was higher at older age (OR = 3.04, 95% CI 1.75-5.29, at age ≥70 years for three or more MetS components). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports a direct association between MetS and postmenopausal breast cancer risk.

Breast screening can save lives (English and eight translations)

This leaflet is used to support the Northern Ireland breast screening programme and explains the importance of screening in detecting breast cancer.

Breast screening: why have I been called back?

This leaflet is used to support the Northern Ireland breast screening programme and explains the additional tests that may be offered at a breast assessment clinic following a mammogram that has shown a possible abnormality

Breast screening: satisfactory test results - what now?

This leaflet is used to support the Northern Ireland breast screening programme and is issued to the one in 20 women who are called back after their initial breast x-ray for further tests at a breast assessment clinic

Breast screening: what if I have breast implants?

This leaflet is used to support the Northern Ireland breast screening programme and explains the procedure for women with breast implants

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA): demonstration of a partial identity between CEA and a normal glycoprotein.

The carcinoembryonic antigen of the human digestive tract (CEA), described by Gold as a glycoprotein specific for digestive carcinomatous and foetal tissues, was found to have common antigenic determinants with a glycoprotein of smaller size extracted from normal adult tissues. This observation suggests that only a part of the CEA molecule carries the onco-foetal specificity. It also has practical implications regarding the radioimmunoassay for CEA used for the diagnosis of certain carcinomas.

Alcohol could increase your risk of breast cancer

This poster highlights the fact that alcohol increases the risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast awareness: looking out for changes

This leaflet is used to support the Northern Ireland breast screening programme and describes how women should check their breasts regularly for any changes that are new to them

PHA advises 'breast is best'!

The Public Health Agency is using National Breastfeeding Awareness Week (NBAW) to emphasise the message that breastfeeding is the healthiest option for both you and your baby and that by deciding to breastfeed, you will be giving your child the best possible start in life. NBAW runs from 19-25 June and highlights the fact that any period of breastfeeding, however short, will benefit your baby.Breast milk is different to formula milk as it contains antibodies that cannot be manufactured in formula. Antibodies help protect babies from infection and stimulate their immune system.Northern Ireland has the lowest breastfeeding rate in the UK, with an average of 63% of women breastfeeding their baby at birth. Janet Calvert, Regional Breastfeeding Coordinator at the PHA, said: "This is an issue that clearly needs addressed, as breastfeeding has many important health benefits for both mother and baby. These include a reduced risk of ear, chest, kidney and stomach infections and less risk of childhood diabetes and obesity."Breastfeeding can also significantly reduce the risk of hospital admission of children for gastroenteritis and chest infections. The health benefits for mothers who choose to breastfeed include a reduced risk of developing illnesses such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis."There are other benefits as well as those to your health. Breastfeeding is free - you don't have to buy formula, bottles, teats, sterilising equipment etc. Breast milk is always available, with the right ingredients, at the right temperature, so it's easier to feed at night or on the go.The PHA recognises the importance of breastfeeding to health and the need to ensure that mothers get off to a good start with breastfeeding. It is vital that mothers get the right support and encouragement from their family and friends should they decide to breastfeed. Breastfeeding can be difficult at the start and mothers need reassurance while they learn."There are many local initiatives in the community to improve breastfeeding support. These include improving support in the health service and through Sure Start programmes, which work in areas of need to help ensure children get the best start in life," Janet added."Mother to mother peer support programmes are in place in many areas and are working with expectant and new mothers to help them breastfeed for longer. There are also 70 breastfeeding support groups, which provide ongoing support for breastfeeding mothers throughout Northern Ireland. "The PHA is also working to improve attitudes to breastfeeding in public through the Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme, which began in 2005 and now has over 200 businesses and public facilities signed up to support and welcome breastfeeding families. All these initiatives, along with support from partners and family, are vital to help expectant and new mothers stay with breastfeeding."Health Minister Edwin Poots said: "There is clear evidence that breastfeeding offers health benefits for both babies and mothers. We know that breast milk gives baby the best start in life by providing all the nutrients and protection a baby needs for the first six months of life. That is why my Department is committed to promoting and supporting breastfeeding".For further information on breastfeeding visit www.breastfedbabies.org.uk