Understand
Breast cancer survivor in Guernsey highlights that diagnosis is not a death sentence
Overview
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Martine Legg, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in March, shares her experience to show that the disease is not the death sentence it once was. Following radiotherapy, she has returned to acting and stresses the importance of staying strong. Health professionals in Guernsey also emphasize regular self-checks, awareness of alcohol as a risk factor, and participation in the local breast screening programme.
Key points
- Martine Legg was diagnosed with breast cancer in March and has returned to performing on stage after completing radiotherapy.
- Legg highlighted that a breast cancer diagnosis is not the death sentence it might have been in the past.
- Breast cancer is Guernsey's third most common cancer, causing 12 to 13 deaths a year.
- Legg praised the support received from the charity Pink Ladies Guernsey and local medical staff.
- Nurse consultant Suzanne Halliday advises people to check for lumps regularly, about once a month.
- Public health officials note that alcohol consumption, even as little as a drink a day, increases breast cancer risk by 7% to 10%.