A troubling new survey reveals that 45 per cent of British women are failing to examine their breasts regularly for potential cancer signs, marking the lowest rate in four years.
The findings from Breast Cancer Now have sparked alarm, as approximately two-thirds of breast cancer cases in England are discovered when women identify changes themselves and seek medical advice.
The charity's research indicates a concerning downward trend from 2022, when 41 per cent reported irregular checking habits.
Perhaps most worrying is that 11 per cent of surveyed women admitted they had never examined their breasts at all, potentially missing crucial early warning signs.
Two-thirds of breast cancer cases in England are discovered when women identify changes themselves
|GETTY
The YouGov poll of 2,283 women uncovered numerous obstacles preventing routine breast examinations, with forgetting to check emerging as a primary issue.
Many respondents reported lacking established checking habits, while others expressed uncertainty about proper examination techniques or insufficient confidence in their ability to perform checks correctly.
Among those who do examine their breasts, nearly a third lack confidence in their ability to identify potential changes, highlighting a significant knowledge gap.
These barriers create a dangerous combination of factors that discourage women from undertaking this potentially life-saving practice.
The research suggests that both practical and psychological factors contribute to the decline in self-examination rates across the UK.
Associate director of public health, inclusion and awareness at Breast Cancer Now, Manveet Basra, described the statistics as "deeply concerning given that the sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of treatment being successful and lives potentially being saved".
The charity is responding with its new Checklist initiative, set to launch during October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, designed to address this critical health issue directly.
The campaign seeks to establish breast checking as an essential routine for women across the UK, emphasising that the process requires only minutes to complete.
"There's no right way to do it as long as it's done regularly," Basra stressed, underlining the campaign's focus on making self-examination accessible and achievable for all women.
Early detection remains crucial, as recent Swedish research demonstrates that women who skip their initial breast screening face a 40 per cent increased risk of dying from the disease.
The Karolinska Institute study, which tracked half a million women over 25 years, found that those missing their first mammogram were more likely to receive diagnoses at advanced stages.
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Women who miss their first mammogram are more likely to receive diagnoses at advanced stages
| GETTYWarning signs include lumps or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit, skin changes such as dimpling, colour alterations, size or shape changes, nipple modifications, rashes, or unusual discharge.
Breast Cancer Now explains that while breast pain alone rarely indicates cancer, persistent discomfort warrants medical attention.
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