'I suffered with high blood pressure.'

Saw my GP
Concerned at the erratic nature of the readings he was getting, Michael made an appointment with his GP. “He said my blood pressure was higher than he would like it to be and told me to keep using the monitor and go back to him in a couple of weeks and we would compare notes, which we did. The readings were still up and down – which I gather can often be the case with these monitors – but it was clear something was not right.

“Since then my GP has tried various combinations of drugs, and we finally seem to have got the problem under control. Though the monitor seemed to be a bit erratic, there’s no doubt those high readings spurred me on to get something done about my blood pressure. Using it certainly got me on the road to recover.”

Be breast-aware.

Breast Cancer
One in 11 women living to the age of 85 in Britain will develop breast cancer in the course of their life, and 80 per cent of all breast cancers occur in post-menopausal women. The good news is that deaths from breast cancer are falling, survival rates are improving and there is the first sign of a fall in the number of new cases of breast cancer.

If you notice any changes, see your doctor.

The National Breast Screening Programme invites all women between the ages of 50 and 70 for breast screening every three years, but even women taking part in the screening programme need to be breast aware and report any changes to their GP. Over the age of 70 women are entitled to free breast screening every three years on request.

Being breast aware is an important part of caring for your body. Knowing how your breasts look and feel normally throughout your life is important so that you can notice any unusual changes. You should look out for:

• A lump or swelling in the breast, armpit or arm
• A pain in the breast that is new for you
• Any change in the shape or size of the breast or nipple
• Any changes to the position or colouring of the nipple, or if a nipple has become inverted
• Dimpling, puckering, scaling or discolouration of the skin
• A distinct lump or thickening in your breast that is different from the breast’s usual texture
• Discharge from one or both of the nipples.