Every year nearly 55,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK. Whilst it can affect everyone it is most common amongst women with one in eight developing breast cancer in their lifetime.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and both men and women are being reminded to check for the signs and if they have concerns to speak with their GP.
Possible signs of breast cancer include a lump in the breast or armpit, nipple changes, changes to the skin of the breast, changes in the shape or size of the breast and pain in the breast or armpit. It is important to stress that a lump isn’t the only sign of breast cancer. If you’re worried about any changes to your breasts, tell your doctor straight away.
It is even more important to speak to your GP if you are aged 70 or over; breast cancer survival is lower in women aged over 70 than in younger women. Research shows that older women have low knowledge of non-lump breast cancer symptoms and are more likely to delay presenting to their GP with breast cancer.
Don’t be embarrassed to speak to you GP if you notice any signs and don’t put the symptoms down as a sign of ageing. The sooner it is detected the more likely it is it can be treated.
Macmillan GP Dr Paul Barker said “Spotting the possible signs of cancer is very important, as the earlier you receive diagnosis the more likely it is that you can be successfully treated. If you are concerned, go and see your local GP – if it turns out to be nothing serious you aren’t wasting your time. But if it is cancer we can get you on the road to treatment more quickly.
A trip to your doctor’s surgery could save your life”.
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer in women in the UK. Nearly 12,000 people die from breast cancer in the UK every year. More than eight out of 10 (85%) people survive breast cancer beyond five years.
Further information along with links to other useful websites is available on the NHS Dorset CCG website www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk.
Keith Williams
Public Relations Lead
NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group
