UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, Breast Cancer Ireland and the GAA/GPA have partnered together to promote Breast Health Awareness in GAA clubs across the Country, through seminars nationwide to club members in their own community. This follows on from the partnership agreement launched in UPMC Nowlan Park earlier in the year.

Research from earlier this year by Breast Cancer Ireland indicated worryingly low levels across all age groups of self-checking behaviours and knowledge of the eight signs and symptoms of breast cancer, proving the sheer scale of the challenge when it comes to driving awareness and education. Key findings show:

• 75% of women still do not know how to properly check their breasts
• 33% say they don’t know all of the signs and symptoms they are looking for  
• 46% of women say they simply don’t make time to check their breasts regularly  

With these findings in mind, the aim is to encourage and educate women and men of all ages about good breast health so that cancer can be detected early and patient outcomes improved. The educational presentations will be delivered to GAA Clubs using a medical mannequin to educate participants on how to perform a self-breast examination. 

Commenting on the launch of this exciting initiative, Cork’s Mary Hickey, Director of Oncology, UPMC in Ireland, said:

The development and support of this important breast health and awareness programme is a natural fit for UPMC as a trusted health care provider and innovator. UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre is one of the largest integrated networks of cancer experts in the world. In Ireland, we are a cancer care partner to the HSE, various hospital groups, the oncology service for the South East and organisations that support patients throughout their cancer journey. As official healthcare partner to the GAA/GPA, this programme is a natural fit and will help hundreds of thousands of people in our sporting communities to live healthier lives.” 

Olivia Carpenter, Outreach Co-Ordinator at Breast Cancer Ireland, added:

UPMC and Breast Cancer Ireland have partnered to deliver educational sessions to communities close to where they live since the start of the year. We are delighted to expand it to GAA clubs across the country and through this partnership with UPMC and GAA/GPA, we can further change the landscape of this disease for the better into the future. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the treatment outcome. Outreach across the GAA communities means that we will continue to drive important awareness of this disease in local communities, and in turn save lives.

Breast cancer will affect 1 in 9 women during their lifetime, with someone in the world being diagnosed every 9 seconds. Early detection is key. To learn more about the Education and Outreach Coordinator or to register for a complimentary visit, GAA clubs are encouraged to visit the Education & Awareness section on www.breastcancerireland.com

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Daithí de Róiste on 085 724 6061 or [email protected]

About UPMC in Ireland

A $24 billion healthcare provider and insurer, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based UPMC is inventing new models of patient-centred, cost-effective, accountable care. Working in close collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC shares its clinical, managerial and technological skills worldwide through its innovation and commercialisation arm, UPMC Enterprises, and through UPMC International.

Providing high-quality healthcare in the South East since 2006, UPMC’s operations in Ireland now include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford, UPMC Kildare Hospital in Clane and UPMC Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny. Outpatient care is available at the UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapy locations at UPMC Whitfield and in Cork, the UPMC Sports Medicine Clinics in Waterford, Limerick, and Tipperary and the UPMC Concussion Network. 

UPMC is the Official Healthcare Partner of the GAA and GPA. Visit UPMC.ie for additional information.