By Dr David Deardon, The British Surgical Clinic and Medical Lead for the Positively Pink Screening Programme
As a UK born surgeon who trained in the 1980’s when dedicated breast
cancer services were being established in hospitals throughout the UK I
have been involved in managing breast disease for many years. The need
for screening was acutely emphasized for me when 3 members of my family
were affected by the disease. After leaving my post as a consultant
surgeon in the NHS and joining the Gibraltar Health Authority in 2005 as
their only fully accredited surgeon, one of the first things I did was
establish a one stop breast clinic. This clinic identified over 30 new
cancers in the first year of existence (twice the number expected from
historical data) and was instrumental in diagnosing cancers earlier.
Consequently there was a need for less destructive surgery and long term
outcomes improved. I
was the surgical
lead on the GHA steering committee which has now successfully seen the
Gibraltar Health Authority introduce its own breast screening service.
Breast Cancer Facts
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. The lifetime
risk of developing breast cancer is one in nine and in the UK, 41,000
new cases are diagnosed each year (1% of cases occurring in men). The
risk of breast cancer is increased in some patients if there is a family
history (particularly on the maternal side). The risk of breast cancer
increases with age and 80% of breast cancers occur in women over the age
of 50. Current data indicate that survival rates from breast cancer are
improving. The key factors for this improvement are increased breast
awareness and early detection and presentation of breast cancer.
Positively Pink
I was very pleased last year to be invited to support the Positively
Pink Campaign and help the charity develop a safe evidence based breast
screening service for non entitled or interested British women on the
Costa del Sol. Again this year, the programme offers free state of the
art breast imaging (Ultrasound and / or Mammography) supported by a
clinical examination with a suitably trained doctor or nurse. Self
examination training is also available during your screening
consultation. At Positively Pink, we believe that prevention and early
detection is your best line of defense.
Positively Pink is
very fortunate to have Dr David Deardon overseeing the Free breast
screening programme in conjunction with Clinica Medicare in La Cala. Dr
David Deardon is also now available at the clinic, for consultation and
his expertise cover’s a wide remit. Tel 952 835 778. For more
information on Positively Pink look at the website www.positively-pink.com or call Clinica Medicare to make an appointment for your FREE breast Screening.
Breast Cancer Facts
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is one in nine and in the UK, 41,000 new cases are diagnosed each year (1% of cases occurring in men). The risk of breast cancer is increased in some patients if there is a family history (particularly on the maternal side). The risk of breast cancer increases with age and 80% of breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50. Current data indicate that survival rates from breast cancer are improving. The key factors for this improvement are increased breast awareness and early detection and presentation of breast cancer.
Positively Pink
I was very pleased last year to be invited to support the Positively Pink Campaign and help the charity develop a safe evidence based breast screening service for non entitled or interested British women on the Costa del Sol. Again this year, the programme offers free state of the art breast imaging (Ultrasound and / or Mammography) supported by a clinical examination with a suitably trained doctor or nurse. Self examination training is also available during your screening consultation. At Positively Pink, we believe that prevention and early detection is your best line of defense.
Positively Pink is very fortunate to have Dr David Deardon overseeing the Free breast screening programme in conjunction with Clinica Medicare in La Cala. Dr David Deardon is also now available at the clinic, for consultation and his expertise cover’s a wide remit. Tel 952 835 778. For more information on Positively Pink look at the website www.positively-pink.com or call Clinica Medicare to make an appointment for your FREE breast Screening.
