Nearly eight in 10 women aren’t regularly checking themselves for signs of breast cancer, according to new research.
As Breast Cancer Awareness month falls in October, it serves as a reminder on the importance of keeping on top of your health.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer seen in the UK, accounting for 15 per cent of cases, according to Cancer Research. 55,000 Brits a year are diagnosed, which is more than 150 a day.
Despite its seriousness, a study of 2,000 women has discovered how many aren’t making the time to self-check for breast cancer symptoms once a month, with a third failing to check at all, reports Wales Online.
Simply forgetting emerged as a key reason for 35 per cent, while others blamed 17 per cent it on a lack of confidence ad 13 per cent on a fear of what they might find. It also found 22 per cent of women aged 50 and over are too busy to put their breast health first.
The research was commissioned by Estée Lauder Companies’ UK & Ireland to mark the 30th anniversary of The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign.
Dr Zoe Williams, GP and broadcaster, and UK and Ireland ambassador for the campaign said: “I want women to feel empowered to talk about breast health – it should be part of your self-care routine and there should be no shame as breasts are simply just part of our bodies.
“However, I understand that there are barriers to self-checking among many communities and that we need to be speaking directly to these groups so that everybody feels confident to regularly self-check.
“The research showed that of those women who do check their breasts, nearly a third (30 per cent) are unaware of the signs and symptoms to look out for. It’s not just lumps, there are other signs, such as irritation or dimpling of the skin on the breast or flaky skin in the nipple area.
“If you notice any unusual changes, it’s important to contact your GP as soon as possible.” The study also found self-checking rates are lowest among South Asian women, women under 40 and black women.
To better understand the barriers these women face, a series of focus groups were conducted, whereby the insight and corresponding research suggests South Asian women aren’t regularly checking themselves for fear their community or family would judge them if they found out.
The focus groups and research also indicate black women don’t self-check due to a lack of education from older female relatives, as well as not feeling comfortable touching their breasts.
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