Half of women do not check for breast cancer regularly

Breast Cancer Now has revealed that 47 per cent of women in the UK do not check their breasts regularly for potential signs of breast cancer.

According to a YouGov survey commissioned by the charity, one in 10 women have ‘never checked their breasts for new or unusual changes’, while 19 per cent of women check their breasts ‘once every six months or less’. The number drops to 13 per cent who do this ‘once a year or less’.

With breast cancer being the most common cancer in women in the UK, Breast Cancer Now is making an urgent plea to all women to make checking their breasts ‘a habit of a lifetime’, as early diagnosis can prevent women dying from the disease. The charity suggests that women check their breasts at least every six weeks.

Reasons that stop or prevent women who have not had breast cancer from checking their breasts include that they are ‘not confident’ about what new or unusual changes they should be looking for (21 per cent). This is the case for almost a fifth of women aged 45-54, which is the age when breast cancer risk increases significantly for women. However, the most common cause is that women said they ‘forget’ to check - the case for 46 per cent of women.

Manveet Basra, Head of Public Health and Wellbeing at Breast Cancer Now, said: “That one in 10 women have never checked their breasts really shocked me. Breast checking is quick, easy, and can help detect any breast cancer early, giving treatment the best chance of working. There’s no special technique – just get to know your breasts and what’s normal for you, so you can spot any new or unusual changes, and remember to check all parts of your breasts, your armpits and up to your collarbone for changes. Making this part of your routine – such as in the shower or when you apply moisturiser – can help you to do it regularly. Encourage your female friends and family to do this too; please don’t feel embarrassed talking about this simple step that could save your life!

“Many women may know that a lump can be a possible symptom of breast cancer, but it’s vital to know that there are other signs to be aware of too. This could be nipple discharge, dimpling or puckering of the skin of the breast, the breast looking red or inflamed, or swelling in the upper chest or armpit. Most breast changes won’t be cancer; however, get any new or unusual breast changes checked by the GP right away. I can assure you Covid-19 doesn’t change this - surgeries have safety measures in place to minimise the risk of the spread of Covid-19 and your GP wants you to get any breast changes checked out without delay.”