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Nearly half of women do not regularly check their breasts for signs of breast cancer, and one in 10 never does, a survey revealed.
Women who aren’t looking for changes to their breasts should get used to examining them, as early detection of lumps and other symptoms could save their lives, experts say.
In a representative sample of 1,086 British women, 47% said that they did not regularly check their breasts for lumps or changes in their appearance, which could indicate the presence of cancer.
Breast cancer specialists said the findings were “a cause for deep concern,” since most cases of the disease are identified when a woman detects a change and undergoes a medical examination.
“It is concerning that almost half of women do not regularly check their breasts for new or unusual changes,” said Lady Delyth Morgan, executive director of Breast Cancer Now.
When asked why they weren’t aware of the changes, 46% of those who had not been diagnosed with breast cancer said they “forgot” to do so. Others cited embarrassment or a desire not to disturb their GP. “[That] highlights the urgent need to engage women with the importance of regular breast examinations, as an action that could ultimately save their lives, ”Morgan added.
A lump is the most common change that can suggest cancer. But other symptoms include nipple discharge, dimples or wrinkles in the skin of the breast, red or swollen breast, and swelling in the upper chest or armpit.
Morgan assured the women that most of the changes turn out not to be evidence of breast cancer. “[However]When it is, a woman who notices a potential symptom and gets it checked out by the GP are often the first steps leading to diagnosis. Early diagnosis increases the chances of successful treatment, which can prevent women from dying from the disease, which means that the importance of regular breast control cannot be underestimated. “
Women should make checking their breasts part of their routine, for example when they’re in the shower or when applying moisturizer, said Manveet Basra, head of public health and wellness at Breast Cancer Now. The exam should include the entire breast, armpits and even the collarbone, he added.
Around 55,000 women and 370 men a year are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK. The disease kills 11,500 women and 55 men each year.
Dr Rebecca Lewis, a breast surgeon in London and secretary to the UK Physicians Association, said: “The Breast Cancer Now survey showing that 47% of women do not check their breasts regularly is concerning, but my experience echoes what we see in the breast clinic.
“All women should examine their breasts every four to six weeks and not worry about what to look for or not. Any new changes should be seen by your GP.
“Women should also regularly attend their screening mammograms to detect abnormalities that cannot yet be felt. Early diagnosis is the key to discovering breast cancers when they are small, which often means less radical treatment is possible. This can have a profound effect on our patients, their treatment, and their prognosis. “
An NHS spokesman in England said women should always attend routine checkups and examinations. “While it is understandable that some people had reservations about coming forward during the first wave, essential cancer care was maintained and now the number of people receiving cancer treatment has returned to pre-pandemic levels, so our message to people is to come forward out of care and help us to help you. “
