Advanced breast cancer risk higher in African and Caribbean women

New analysis by Cancer Research UK and Public Health England (PHE) has found that black women in England are twice as likely to be diagnosed with advanced breast cancer as white women.

Data showed that late-stage breast cancer was identified in around 25 per cent of black African women and 22 per cent of black Caribbean women, compared to 13 per cent of white women.

Cancer Research UK said the figures suggest black women are less likely than white women to go for a mammogram when invited by the NHS, meaning the cancer is often spotted at a much later progressive stage.

Heather Nelson, who works for BME Cancer Voice, said: "Women, especially women of colour, are less likely to go for screening.

"You'll get leaflets through your door and they will be predominantly of white, middle-class women. There's no representation of South Asian, African descent et cetera.

"If you get information like that, you're going to look and think, 'That's not about me.'"

Dr Julie Sharp, of Cancer Research UK, commented: "If you notice something that isn't normal for you, or you've a symptom that's not gone away or has got worse, getting it checked out promptly could save your life."