Public Health England have launched a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the risk of breast cancer to women aged 70 and over.
Approximately 30% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer report a symptom other than a lump. However, research shows that, when asked to name symptoms of breast cancer, less than half of women over 70 could name a symptom aside from a lump.
Women aged 70 and over account for a third of all breast cancer cases each year but, despite this, they are also more likely to delay going to their GP with breast cancer symptoms.
The ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign promotes the message ‘don’t assume you’re past it’, urging older women to visit their doctor straight away if they notice any unusual or persistent changes to their breasts.
National figures show that around 9,500 women die from breast cancer each year and over half of these are women aged 70 and over. This equates to around 15 women aged 70 and over dying from breast cancer in England every day.
Early diagnosis of breast cancer is crucial and means treatment is more likely to be successful. If breast cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stage in women aged 70 and over, 93% will live for at least another 5 years. This figure drops to just 13% for those diagnosed at the most advanced stage.
Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer, said: “You are never too old to get breast cancer. It is not always a lump and women should look out for any changes in the shape of the breast, a change to a nipple or to the skin.”
“Spotting the signs of cancer early is very important so if women are concerned about any breast cancer symptoms they should contact their GP straight away.”
For more information about the campaign and breast cancer, please visit the Public Health England website.
