KEY POINTS:
One of the myths women have about breast cancer is that "I won't get it because no one in my family has had it". That's not so. While having an immediate relative with breast cancer increases your chances of getting the disease, most who are diagnosed have no family history.
The biggest advancement in breast cancer prevention has to be the development of the national screening programme, Breast Screen Aotearoa. Women have a one in nine risk of developing breast cancer but if they participate in a screening programme they can reduce the chances of dying from this disease by approximately 30 per cent. None of us want to think that we will get breast cancer, but should we do so, finding it early gives us an excellent chance of survival. Breast Screening Aotearoa provides free mammograms to women aged between 45 and 70 years.
Women are very different in their reaction to a diagnosis of breast cancer and the disease itself is quite variable. If found early and treated successfully, many women will be cured of their cancer. If the disease has spread, however, it can be a more serious illness. I reassure my patients that although there will be ups and downs, they have a team behind them and I promise to do what I can. While the treatment period is difficult, women are living longer and enjoying a better quality of life than ever before. The stories of others can provide encouragement.
In New Zealand, 2400 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. That's 40 per week more than the New Zealand road toll.
Hitting middle age, my radar is out for the secrets of those I can see are ageing well so I might be able to emulate that in my life. There are definitely a few absolutes to ageing well - don't smoke, avoid excess and inflexibility. Be kind. Have adventures. Save some money. Keep your diet and friendships simple, seek advice from people you trust and for all else, attend your screening appointment.
I was upset with the police when they failed to prosecute the driver who hit my husband while he was stationary at a stop sign on his motorbike. The police were called but both parties had insurance so it was case-over.
My first memory was standing on Whangamata beach. My father had hurt his back and was airlifted by seaplane to Auckland for treatment. I apparently asked Mum if he was off to heaven.
Things that I regard as a total waste of money include gambling, smoking, glue sniffing ... Actions that have much wider consequences than the first spend.
I am very interested in Maori history and spend time looking for artefacts while on holiday.
I cringe at the hundreds of thousands of dollars that would be involved in establishing New Zealand as a republic, there are more immediate needs. Having said that, we are so much more than an extension of Britain. Like many New Zealanders I value the contribution history makes to our cultural understanding and complexities. Our English connections are only a small part of this. If we take our lessons from history and add some solid values, a republic may enable us to find out what we can be.
* Phyllida Cotton-Barker is an Auckland GP and a member of The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation's Medical Advisory Board. October 10 is the Pink Ribbon Day street appeal for the Breast Cancer Foundation. Visit www.nzbcf.org.nz for other Breast Cancer Awareness Month events and information.
