The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (RUH) is supporting Public Health England’s national breast cancer campaign, Be Clear on Cancer.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of breast cancer symptoms in women aged 70 and over, helping to improve early diagnosis and encouraging people to see their GP without delay.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in England with around 44,300 women diagnosed each year.
Breast cancer survival is lower in older women and research shows they are more likely to delay going to see their GP with breast cancer symptoms.
Also, knowledge of non-lump breast cancer symptoms is often lower amongst older women and awareness of age-related risk is poorly understood.
Richard Sutton, Consultant Surgeon at the RUH, said: “Women over the age of 70 don’t always realise that their risk of breast cancer increases as they get older.
“Finding breast cancer at an early stage can often lead to simpler and more effective treatment and this is as true for women over 70 as any other age group.”
One in three women who get breast cancer are over 70, if you notice any changes to your breasts, tell your doctor straight away.
“We’re encouraging older women to be breast aware, report any new changes without delay and go for regular breast screening every three years”.
Let’s be clear… how to spot it
Possible signs of breast cancer include:
- A lump or thickening in your breast or armpit
- Changes to the skin of your breast
- Changes in the shape size or feel of your breast
- Nipple changes
- Nipple discharge
- Pain in your breast
- Any other unusual or persistent changes to your breasts
If you have any of the above symptoms, your doctor will want to see you.
Seeing your doctor early makes all the difference. You’re not wasting anyone’s time by getting your symptoms checked out and, if it’s not serious, your mind will be put at rest.
Early detection makes it easier to treat. Seeing your doctor early could save your life.
The campaign is running from 22nd February to the end of March. For more information, click here.
