October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 15% of all cancer diagnoses. Breast cancer can develop at any age so it is important for women to check their breasts on a regular basis and book an appointment with a GP if you notice any abnormalities. As with all cancers, early diagnosis increases the chances of treatments being successful and increases chances of survival.
If you have been invited for your NHS Breast Screening, please ensure that you attend. If you want to reschedule your appointment please call the North London Breast Screening Service on 0203 758 2024. Further details are available on our Breast Screening page.
The NHS, as well as other organisations such as CoppaFeel! and Breast Cancer Now, have very helpful resources on how to check your breasts for abnormalities. These are linked below.
- NHS – How to check your breasts or chest
- CoppaFeel! – How to check your chest
- Breast Cancer Now – Touch Look Check
October is also Black History Month. We know from research that women from underrepresented ethnic groups face different breast cancer outcomes than white women, like later-stage diagnosis, lower survival rate and poorer patient experience. 25% of Black African women and 22% of Black Caribbean women diagnosed with breast cancer are picked up at stage three and four, compared to 13% of white British women (Source: Cancer Research UK). If you have symptoms or abnormalities in your breasts, please request an appointment with a GP. You can also ask for a female GP if you prefer. All screening staff (mammographers) at the breast screening service are female.
Watch a video of how Lucy discovered here breast cancer by accident by clicking/tapping the image below. You can read here full story here on the CoppaFeel! website.
