Breast Health Day 15 October 2009

More Active Today for your Breast Health Tomorrow

On 15 October, we urged women to do something active, and join women in Ireland and all over Europe in marking Breast Health Day!

Many  "Exercise Events" took place on the day around the country. Details of events that took place around the country are listed below.

This was an awareness-raising, not a fund-raising event!

• Did you know that physical activity can be a life-saver and helps reduce breast cancer risk?
• And that physical inactivity is responsible for 10-16 percent of all breast cancers?
• Are you ready to help women around Ireland and Europe to get more active on Breast   Health Day 2009?

The aim of Breast Health Day this year is to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity on breast health and to encourage women to choose a more active life and to take action together. There is no fundraising involved in this day and you won’t have to get sponsors, collect money, etc!

EDI is inviting women and groups throughout Ireland to organise an awareness raising event involving some form of enjoyable physical activity on 15th October. Walking is one of the simplest and easiest to organise but any physical activity – cycling, hiking, swimming – will help get the message across that exercise is fun and good for you too! See further down for some suggestions. More suggestions welcome!

If you would like to participate and organise an event, we can assist with posters, promotional leaflets, getting publicity, etc. but we need you to contact us as soon as possible at info@europadonnaireland.ie if you are planning to organise an event to mark Breast Health Day. Download a poster… 

Here are more details:

How will Breast Health Day 2009 be marked?

• On Breast Health Day 2009, Europa Donna launched a call to action to women around Europe to choose a more active life and help their breast health and Europa Donna Ireland will be playing its part locally
• Purpose of Breast Health Day 2009 was to raise awareness of the link between physical activity and breast health and encourage women to get more active
• A new booklet on breast health and physical activity was  launched on the day by Europa Donna and was downloadable from www.breasthealthday.org from 30th September.
• An e-card was available for online circulation at www.breasthealthday.org and the BHD website showed the number and localization of e-cards received around the world.

Why is physical activity important for breast health?

• Physical activity can be a life-saver. A growing body of evidence shows the link between physical activity and a lower risk of developing breast cancer
• Inactivity is estimated to cause 10-16 percent of all breast cancer cases
• The benefit of physical activity in reducing the chance of getting breast cancer is independent of the risk factor associated with body weight

Why is breast cancer prevention important?

• According to WHO, at least one third of all cancer cases are preventable
• Excess body weight and physical inactivity account for 25-33 percent of breast cancer cases
• Being overweight (Body Mass Index – BMI – of 25 and over) or obese (BMI of 30 or higher) are important, additional factors that lead to an increased risk of developing post-menopausal breast cancer
• In Ireland about 2000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year and about 650 die, making it the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death, among women in Ireland
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and in Europe, with estimated 430,000 new cases in European women every year
• In Europe, breast cancer still claims the lives of more women than any other cancer

Is physical activity beneficial for breast health at any age?

• What women do today and from the youngest age can influence their future breast health. Engaging in moderate exercise for at least 30-60 minutes every day is an easy and achievable step towards better future breast health
• Growing evidence supports a protective association between physical activity and breast cancer, preferably over a lifetime, but beneficial even if physical activity is started after menopause

What can women and girls do for their breast health?

7 tips from Breast Health Day

1. Increase physical activity. Engage in moderate exercise for at least 30-60 minutes every day
2. Remember that what we do from the youngest age can influence our future breast health  
3. Maintain a healthy body weight throughout adult life, with BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 
4. Be aware of other lifestyle factors and choices, such as avoiding obesity and alcohol consumption, that can influence chances of getting breast cancer 
5. Take steps towards a healthier lifestyle, including eating a well-balanced diet and limiting alcohol intake 
6. Get information and access to appropriate screening programmes for early detection and treatment
7. Encourage other women you know to become more active by sending them Europa Donna’s e-card on Breast Health Day

Events for 15 October (and later dates) in the following locations (by county):

CLARE: Shannon FRC, Respond Centre, Riveanna View, Shannon: (061-707600): 2 guest speakers giving talks on "Importance of Breastcheck" & "Breast Awareness" followed by general dance session, 10-12.30pm.

CORK:   Curves, The Boys Club, Church Rd, Bantry (027-20222): All day exercise session open to all female members/friends and from 6-8pm open to male partners/friends.

CORK:  (Wednesday 28 October) Caha Centre, Adrigole, Beara  (027-60909): Bowling evening in Caha Centre, Adrigole.

DONEGAL:  (Wednesday 21 October) Family Resource Centre, Eskeside Bungalow, New Row, Donegal Town (074-9725337): Walk and coffee morning at Centre starting at 10am. 

DUBLIN: (Blanchardstown) Mountview Resource Centre, 11 Whitechapel Crescent, Mountview, Blanchardstown (01-8206171): Information session around light exercise and nutrition 10-4pm at Centre.

DUBLIN: (Rialto) (Weds 14 October): Fatima Groups United, F2 Centre, 3 Reuben Plaza, Rialto, Dublin 8 (01-4716700): Health morning drop-in at Centre with Keep Fit and some nice food! (This will be a regular weekly event)

DUBLIN: (Stephen's Green): Join us, Europa Donna Ireland, for a walk around the Green. Meet at the Summer House at 12.30!

DUBLIN: (Stoneybatter): An Siol CDP, is running a "juice and exercise hour" from 12.30 – 1.30 in Aughrim Street Parish Centre. The purpose of the day is to make the link with health living and reducing the risk of breast cancer with some useful exercise tips.

DUBLIN: (Sunday 18th October) (Howth): Deer Park Hotel and Healthpro will be co-hosting "Taking Steps to Reduce the Risks of Cancer". This walk will start and finish at the Deer Park Hotel Golf and Spa, Howth, Co. Dublin at 2pm. Refreshments will follow the walk at the Deer Park Hotel. The walk is to promote awareness of both breast cancer and prostate cancer. This day is promoting the fact that your lifestyle reflects your health. Please register in advance with Antoinette ( antoinette@deerparkhotel.ie  087 9258339 ) or Harriette ( harriette@healthpro.ie   086 8495476 )

DUBLIN: (Lucan): Walk in Lucan. More details from Frances, 087 2579026. 

DUBLIN: (Glasnevin/Drumcondra): Walk – meet Mobhi Road end of Griffith Avenue at 8.30 pm for a walk – approximately 1 hour. Contact Nora on 01-7978995  or 086 3733615.

DUBLIN: (Wednesday 21 October) (Crumlin/Drimnagh)  Information session on breast cancer and cervical screening, followed by gentle yoga session. St John Bosco Youth Centre, Drimnagh. 8 pm. Contact: Winnie 087 6197100

DUBLIN: (North Inner City)  Hill Street FRC Parents and Toddlers Group – Walk from Centre to Dublin City Council Park, Blessington Street Basin, and back again. Leaving Centre at 10.30.  

DUBLIN: (Quarryvale FRC): Shancastle Avenue, Clondalkin (01-6230264)are organising a walk starting from the Centre at 11am, followed by a chat about exercise and healthy eating while making fruit smoothies

GALWAY:  Breastlife, c/o Cancer Care West Drop-in Centre (087-6756230): Walkabout on the Prom, Salthill : Meet 2pm at Blackrock, Salthill, walk to Martin Connolly Causeway (entrance to Mutton Island) and back again.

KILKENNY:  Watershed, Kilkenny City: Health day for the 50+ age group,  sourcing information from the Health Promotion Unit and distribution of leaflets to raise awareness of Breast Health.

LIMERICK:  West Limerick CDP, The Square, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick (068 32444): Walkabout starting out from CDP offices at 11am and back with tea/coffee afterwards at CDP offices.

LOUTH: Gary Kelly Centre, Georges St, Drogheda (086-8172914): "Exercise and Breast Health" – talk by cancer survivor Banban Goulding at 2pm, followed by tea/coffee

MAYO:  Cara Iorrais, 2 Church St, Belmullet, Co Mayo (097-20590): Walkabout starting from centre of Belmullet 5-6pm.

OFFALY:  Dochas, Teach Dochas, Offaly St., Tullamore (057-9328268): Walk in Charleville Castle, Tullamore starting at 10am.

ROSCOMMON:  Roscommon Women's Network CDP, Unit 5, The Old Mill, Castlerea, Co Roscommon (094-9621690): Meet at Old Mill before 1pm  followed by walk through Demesne and around Castlerea and back to Old Mill.

SLIGO: Sligo Cancer Support Group 44 Wine St, Sligo (071-9170399): Open Day at centre with refreshments and information 10-4pm.

WATERFORD:  St Brigid's Family & Community Centre, 37 Lr Yellow Road,  Waterford (051-375261): Information morning 10.30-12 noon – with information about breast health and the benefits of exercise and healthy lifestyle. A Breastcheck Promotion Screening Officer will be there to answer questions and talk about the service, how to be breast aware and registration for the programme. This will be followed by some light exercise. 

WESTMEATH: LARCC, Ballinalack, Mullingar (044-9371971): Walk around Belvedere House and gardens 10 – 12am, followed by tea/coffee afterwards. Meet at Belvedere House before 10am.

WEXFORD: (Friday 16 October) (Enniscorthy)  Hope Centre  Swimming session, Enniscorthy Swimming Pool 3pm. Contact: Angela Travers 086 3758722

WICKLOW (Bray): Bray Cancer Support Centre 36b Main St, Bray (01-2866966): Walkabout starting 11am from Drop-In Centre down Main St onto Quinsboro Road, onto Promenade. Return via Sidmonton Road and back to Centre for refreshments. This should take 50-60 minutes.

WICKLOW (Enniskerry): Powerscourt Golf Club, Enniskerry: 9 hole shotgun competition starting at 9.45am followed by lunch at 12.30.