Statistics show that around 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives, making it the most common cancer in the UK. It leads to around 11,500 deaths from breast cancer each year – but the NHS breast screening programme is helping to reduce breast cancer mortality by around 20% in women who are regularly screened.
Anyone registered with a GP as female should be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 71. Those over 71 can request screening. People who have not received an invitation by the time they are 53 should contact the Dudley, Wolverhampton and South West Staffordshire Breast Screening Service to book an appointment – for more details, please visit Dudley, Wolverhampton and South West Staffordshire Breast Screening Service.
As well as screening, the NHS recommends that people check their breasts once a month. This will help them understand what is normal for their body and make it easier to detect any changes that may need further examination from a health professional.
Key symptoms that people should look or feel for include:
a lump or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit
any changes to the skin of the breast, or a change in size or shape
nipple discharge if not pregnant or breastfeeding
a change in the shape or look of the nipple, including a rash on it
or sores or ulcers on the chest.
Some of these symptoms are common and can be caused by other conditions, but people who notice something unusual should contact their GP as soon as possible.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “Cancer screening and routinely checking your breasts for any changes is important for early detection, which can help improve treatment outcomes and survival rates.
“Early stage cancers are often more treatable and have a better prognosis than those detected at a later stage, and almost all women diagnosed with breast cancer at the earliest possible stage in England survive their disease for at least 5 years after diagnosis.
“Screening can also identify precancerous conditions that can be treated before they develop into cancer, further reducing the risk of cancer development. By catching cancer early, screening programmes can reduce the overall burden of cancer, decrease healthcare costs and, most importantly, improve the quality of life for patients.”