END OF YEAR SPARKS INCREASED BREAST AWARENESS

Western Australian women are more aware of their breasts as the end of the year approaches, according to one of the state's most eminent breast radiologists.

Dr Peter Goodwin, who heads breast imaging clinic Breast Imaging, said the demand for mammograms increases towards the end of the year, peaking in November and December - only dropping off when the holiday season commences.

Already, Breast Imaging has witnessed increased demand in November and December 2001 with a 11% patient increase on the average month, whilst the previous year confirms this trend with an increase of 9% on the average month. And he suspects this rise in demand is a common social trend.

Dr Goodwin said the reasons are largely social, as there appears to be no clinical explanation for the increase in demand for breast imaging.

"The onset of summer, October's breast cancer awareness month and an end-of-year mentality are the three most likely rationales for why women would spend more time than usual at the end of the year, focusing on their breasts,"Dr Goodwin said.

"For women, the beginning of summer means becoming more body aware," he said.

"It is also a time when people tend to think about their year's achievements, downfalls and new resolutions. The body- and particularly breasts - are obviously top of mind."

Dr Goodwin cautioned that while the news about increased breast care and self-examination was positive, breast care should be treated as a more regular routine - not just a seasonal activity.

"Research shows us only 33% of women actually self-examine their breasts on a routine basis(*2) - which is astonishing given 1 in 14 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 75(*3)," Dr Goodwin said.

"Many women today lead busy and demanding lives leading to a deprioritisation of breast self-examination."

Rather, Dr Goodwin urges women to make a 2002 New Years Resolution and be breast aware throughout the year, suggesting the following tips:

1. Do a self-breast examination once a month
2. See your GP for a clinical breast exam, starting age 20
3. Have a mammogram every year (for women over the age of 40)