Inspirational gold medallist steers attention to vital breast checks
Life has been far from plain sailing this year for Paralympic rowing cox Erin Kennedy MBE who found out she had breast cancer at the age of 29 just four days before competing in the first World Rowing Cup of the season.
The double World Champion, European Champion and World Record Holder cox for GB’s mixed four rowing team is now receiving treatment at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and is keen to raise awareness of the importance of checking your breast for lumps, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Typically breast cancer is most common in women over the age of 50 (80%), but Cancer Research UK data shows that one in five of breast cancers is now in women under the age of 50. Being breast aware and regularly checking for lumps is therefore vital to help with prompt detection and early treatment.
Erin was training at a camp in Italy when she noticed the lump in her breast in May this year. She contacted her doctor the following day and was referred for biopsies and an MRI scan.
She said: “Since getting diagnosed I’ve been keen to use my platform to raise awareness that breast cancer does affect younger women. I was 29 when I was diagnosed, and only around 4% of women under 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer, so I was in a pretty severe minority. But it can happen and the more aware we are of our bodies, the more likely we are to pick up on a potential problem earlier.
“Since receiving my cancer diagnosis, I’ve spoken about it very publicly because I hope it might help other people to be confident about checking their body, and making sure if they find a lump that they get it followed up quickly.
“Checking your breasts for lumps is something that you can have some autonomy over and the earlier you detect these things, the more chance you have of getting better.
“I’m very fortunate to be receiving treatment in Royal Surrey’s Teenage and Young Adult (TYAC) Cancer Unit, which sees patients up to the age of 30. I’ve received amazing care and support from the team. Being diagnosed at a younger age can be a very isolating experience, so I’m grateful to the TYAC nurses who recognise the importance of normality and trying to support you to live your life while you have the treatment you need to get better.”
Erin’s oncologist is Dr Felicity Paterson, Breast Cancer Consultant for TYAC. Felicity said: “It’s increasingly obvious to me as an oncologist that we are seeing more young breast cancer patients. This may be linked to better awareness of the need to check for lumps regularly so more cancers are being picked up. There may also be other factors at play, such as increasing alcohol consumption, increasingly stressful, busy working lives and women having children later, resulting in increased oestrogen exposure.
“Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important campaign that helps to remind us about being breast aware and knowing what feels normal, so any changes are easier to spot. We want to encourage women to check their breasts for lumps once a week ideally and to be aware of other changes to the skin around the breast that might indicate a problem.”
Warning signs to look for include changes in the look or feel of the skin on your breast, such as puckering or dimpling, scaly or crusting skin, a rash or redness, or changes to the nipple. Watch this helpful NHS video for more information to find out more.
Felicity added: “Breast Cancer Awareness Month is also helpful to get the message across about how to reduce your risk of breast cancer, for example, we know that smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity can increase your risk. Physical activity can help reduce stress and obesity, reducing risk. It can also help our patients cope with chemotherapy.
“Erin has triple negative breast cancer which is responding well to treatment and we’ve seen a significant reduction in the size of her cancer with chemotherapy, which is great. She is a real inspiration to us all and has such a positive mental attitude. I was so thrilled when I heard she and the team had won a Gold medal in the European Championships.”
Pictured above: Erin Kennedy and Dr Felicity Paterson were interviewed by BBC South Today reporter, Chrissy Sturt to highlight Breast Cancer Awareness Month.