Breast cancer Awareness
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a worldwide annual campaign involving thousands of organisations, to highlight the importance of breast cancer awareness, education and research
The Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease. 
Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries. In low- and middle-income countries the incidence has been rising up steadily in the last years due to increase in life expectancy, increased urbanization and adoption of western lifestyles.
Breast self-examination at home to detect breast cancer
Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. 
Here’s what you should look for:
- Breasts are their usual size, shape, and color
- Breasts are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling
If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor’s attention:
- Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
- A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)
- Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling
Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.
Step 3: While you’re at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood). 
Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter.Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.
Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step 4.
Tips for avoiding the risk of breast cancer
Control your weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer. This is especially true if obesity occurs later in life, particularly after menopause.
Be physically active. Physical activity can help to maintain a healthy weight, which, in turn, helps prevent breast cancer. For most healthy adults, we recommend at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity weekly, plus strength training at least twice a week.
Breast-feed. Breast-feeding might play a role in breast cancer prevention. The longer you breast-feed, the greater the protective effect.
Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy: Combination hormone therapy for more than three to five years increases the risk of breast cancer. If you’re taking hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, ask your doctor about other options.
Avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution: Medical-imaging methods, such as computerized tomography, use high doses of radiation. While more studies are needed, some research suggests a link between breast cancer and radiation exposure. Reduce your exposure by having such tests only when absolutely necessary.
Eat Your Fruits & Vegetables – and Avoid Too Much Alcohol: A healthy diet can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Try to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and keep alcohol at moderate levels or lower (a drink a day or under).
Avoid Birth Control Pills, Particularly after Age 35 or If You Smoke: Birth control pills have both risks and benefits. The younger a woman is, the lower the risks are. While women are taking birth control pills, they have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. This risk goes away quickly, though, after stopping the pill. If you’re very concerned about breast cancer, avoiding birth control pills is one option to lower risk.
Understanding the methods of detecting breast cancer in the earlier stages will help to reduce the risks and can help to get the adequate treatment. Also life style changes definitely help in reducing the risk of breast cancer.
EDUCATION FOCUS:
THE GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN NURSING (GDN)
The Graduate Diploma in Nursing is a Post graduate qualification suitable for GNM or BSc nurses who are trained and registered outside Australia or within Australia. This Post graduate level qualification of level 8 is one level above the Bachelors and one level below a Masters qualification, and is well suited to GNM nurses who have minimum 2 years work experience or BSc or Post BSc nurses with 1 year experience.
Here are some details:
- AQF Level – 8
- Accredited by – TEQSA
- Course Duration – 1 year Full time
- Institution – Institute of Health and Management (IHM)
- Campus – Sydney, Melbourne, Perth
- Registration – Does NOT lead to registration as RN
- Fees- Low fees as compared to a Bachelors or Masters AUD 20000
- IELTS- Overall 6.5, no band less than 6
- OET accepted
- Intakes- Round the year
- Candidate and spouse can work part time and full time during semester breaks
- Visa – Student Visa – subclass 500
- Funds required -1 year fees + Living expenses of applicant and accompanying family members
There are many Benefits of undertaking a GDN.
On course completion, you will be eligible for applying to AHPRA for a GNM. While on a student visa, you can work part time for 20 hours per week during course and full time during vacations/ semester breaks…earn and gain experience while you study! What’s more, your spouse can accompany you.
This course does not, however, offer a stay back, but you can use this opportunity to take admission to the Masters in Nursing program in any University and gain credit points of up to 6 months. This way, you can complete your Masters in 1.5 years or even 1 year!
Another option open to you on completing this course is to meet IELTS requirements and apply for AHPRA processing , then complete a Bridging program and get registration as RN.
What’s more, if time does not permit, you can undertake an ONLINE GDN through our flexible delivery modes!
The same program can be undertaken as an Online program which can be undertaken along with your present job. AHPRA recognizes this course as well for Masters admissions. Students who are unable to get the required score in the IELTS exam can submit an essay to gain admission.
This option is suitable for GNM candidates working in Gulf or European countries or those who are based in Australia.
Our online program starts in December and candidates can enroll throughout the year. The fee for this course is AUD 12000.
Do contact us to learn more!
