45-percent of women don't examine themselves; and those who miss first screening at ‘40% higher risk’ of dying
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and breast cancer charities are warning that an increasing number of women aren't regularly checking themselves for signs of cancer.
New research from YouGov, commissioned and collated by Breast Cancer Now, suggests that 45-percent of women don't examine themselves for signs and symptoms of the disease.
That's up 4-percent from 2022.
The survey also revealed the number of women in the UK reporting they have never checked their breasts has also increased by one percent to 11 percent (from 10 percent in 2024).
When asked what stops or prevents women from regular breast checking, multiple barriers were revealed, including: forgetting to check (46 percent), not being in the habit of checking their breasts (36 percent), lacking confidence in checking their breasts (17 percent) and not knowing how to check their breasts (13 percent).
Of the women who check their breasts for possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer, 32 percent said they don’t feel confident that they would notice a breast change.
That's despite the fact that, according to the National Disease Registration Service, around two thirds of breast cancers in England are found when women notice a new or unusual breast change and get it checked out by a GP.
Meanwhile, a new study out of Sweden has found that women who miss their first breast cancer screening appointment have a 40-percent higher risk of dying from the disease in their lifetime.
As reported in the Guardian, experts at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden analysed data for about half a million women across Sweden, with the findings published in the British Medical Journal.
The women all received their first screening invitation between 1991 and 2020 and were monitored for up to 25 years.
After taking into account social, economic, reproductive, and health-related factors, the researchers found almost one in three women (32 percent) did not attend their first mammogram appointment.
Not attending a first screening was linked with a significantly higher risk of breast cancer death – 9.9 deaths per 1,000 women over 25 years – compared with seven in those screened.
So, what's the message to women here on the Island?
Siobhán Fletcher spoke to Chair of the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group, Julie Stokes:
She says: "Basically 50 percent of cancers are discovered during mammograms, so it really really is important that ladies do turn up for their appointments.
"And it's really important that the Island on the whole keeps that two-year screening programme that we've been so lucky to have for all these years."
"We've got the most fabulous team at the Manx Breast Unit, they're all absolutely gorgeous. They try their hardest to be as gentle with you as possible. And it's literally a couple of minutes that can save your life. It's so important." - Julie Stokes, Chair of the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group
Julie also confirmed to Manx Radio that the brand-new facility to support cancer patients on the Island based at Noble's Hospital is expected to be able to open 'in the next three weeks' or so.
We took a tour of the centre last month so see how construction was getting on.
You can take a look HERE and you can hear more from Julie in our latest Newscast, available now wherever you get your podcasts.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
According to the NHS, symptoms of breast cancer in women may include:
- a lump, or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
- a change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling (may look like orange peel) or redness (may be harder to see on black or brown skin)
- a change in size or shape of one or both breasts
- nipple discharge (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it
- a change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple) or a rash or crusting on it (may look like eczema)
- pain in your breast or armpit which does not go away – breast pain that comes and goes is usually not a symptom of breast cancer
Although rare, men can also get breast cancer.
The most common symptom for men is a lump in the chest area, but you can find a full list on the NHS website.
To check your breasts, you should:
- Look at your breasts or chest in a mirror to look for any changes. Start with your arms by your sides and then raise them.
- Feel around each breast or side of your chest in a circular motion all the way up to your collarbone and under each armpit. Use a mix of light and firmer pressure. Do not press so hard it hurts.
- Feel around and over each nipple.
You may find it easier to feel your breasts or chest in the shower or lying down.
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