The rise is being put down to women taking the pill and having children later, though there are likely to be other factors contributing as well. Organisations are stressing for women not to worry about these figures, and for them just to keep checking their breasts for any differences in feel, size and pain. However it is not necessarily those things that will cause the most worry. instead, it is likely to be a bigger worry to younger people again.
Breast cancer isn't just the disease of a 'friend of a friend' or a 'cousins friend' or even of a distant relative once removed. We're surrounded by people and their families who are affected by it. Real people, with real bodies and feelings and emotions that will change forever following their treatment.
Saturday 16 Feb - Valentine's weekend for many, operation number four for me. This time as part of the breast cancer reconstruction they were going to tackle as much of the symmetry issues as possible and hopefully give me a new nipple - it was a pretty big day, who doesn't want a nipple for Valentine's?!