A SURVEY by charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer has revealed that only five per cent of women in the south of Scotland can name five warning signs of breast cancer.
The survey, conducted by YouGov, also shows that, alarmingly, only two in five (40 per cent) of women in the region check their breasts regularly.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and checking your breasts regularly is a vital part of early detection. The five most common signs are – a lump, change to skin texture, rash or crusting, change in appearance of nipple, nipple discharge.
To help women have a reminder of the signs and symptoms, Breakthrough has developed an awareness guide called Touch Look Check (TLC). The guide includes five common signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and contains the charity’s award-winning Touch Look Check (TLC) breast awareness message.
It advises women to touch their breasts, look for any changes and if they spot anything unusual, check it out with their GP.
The TLC guide is free of charge and available online to order or download at www.breakthrough.org.uk/breast_cancer/breast_cancer_facts/publications/
Audrey Birt, Scotland director for the charity, said: “These statistics should be a wake-up call for women in the south of Scotland.
“We already know that early diagnosis saves lives and that’s why it’s vital that every woman knows what to look for. Our TLC message really helps women to be breast aware. Around 60 women in the south of Scotland die every year from breast cancer. This is something that is just too important to forget.”