A leading Scottish breast cancer charity is encouraging all women in Scotland to be more aware of the disease following a survey which revealed an alarming lack of knowledge of the signs and symptoms of cancer.
Early identification and diagnosis of breast cancer means it is more likely that treatment will be successful.
However, Breakthrough Breast Cancer's survey of 542 Scottish women aged 16 and over showed that one in six could not name any sign or symptom of breast cancer. Only seven per cent thought that a change in the shape or size of their breast could be a sign of breast cancer, while almost a quarter could not name a breast lump as a sign of breast cancer.
The majority of women surveyed in Scotland also did not realise that a woman's chances of developing breast cancer increases the older they get.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is calling on women in Scotland to be more breast aware by checking for signs and symptoms on a regular basis.
The charity is also encouraging all women aged 50 and over to take advantage of breast screening which can detect the disease at the earliest possible stage before it can be seen or felt by hand.
Audrey Birt, Director for Scotland at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "Every year in Scotland 4,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 1,000 women die from the disease. While more women are surviving breast cancer than ever before, getting an early diagnosis is central to achieving the best possible outcome."
Signs & Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Changes in the breast to look out for include:
Size or shape - e.g. one breast might become larger or lower than the other.
Skin texture - such as puckering or dimpling of the skin.
Appearance or direction of nipple - e.g. one nipple might become inverted (turned-in).
Discharge - one or both nipples might discharge a blood-stained liquid
Rash or crusting of the nipple or surrounding area.
Lump in the breast or armpit.
Lumpy area or unusual thickening of breast tissue that does not go away after your period.
Pain in part of the breast or armpit that is unrelated to periods.
Source: Breakthrough Breast Cancer
