Breast cancer tops the list as the UK’s most prevalent cancer, with statistics showing that roughly one in seven women will face a breast cancer diagnosis during their lifetime. The UK sees about 55,000 new cases of breast cancer annually, making up 15% of all cancer diagnoses across the nation.
Thanks to early detection and advancements in treatment, survival rates have soared, with more than 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer now living for a decade or more post-diagnosis. Regular screening, particularly for those between 50 and 70 years old, is pivotal in catching the disease early on.
Prevent Breast Cancer expert and consultant breast surgeon Cliona Kirwan shared her insights: “We are learning more about how to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer all the time. The more we understand about the causes of breast cancer and how it develops, the better we can see how to prevent it from occurring in the first instance.”
“While there are some risk factors for breast cancer that we can’t control – like our age or genetics – there are steps we can all take to reduce our individual risk.”
Live well
“Living a healthy lifestyle is one of the biggest areas of breast cancer risk that we can influence. Exercising regularly, cutting down on alcohol, eating well and getting plenty of rest helps protect our bodies and help us age well. Making good lifestyle choices can help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer as well as lots of other diseases. As many as 30% of breast cancers are linked to lifestyle, but maintaining a healthy weight, undertaking regular physical activity and limiting alcohol intake can reduce breast cancer risk by 30%, even among those with a family history of the disease.”
Check yourself
“Checking yourself regularly is one of the most important things you can do for your own health. Make it a habit to check your breasts thoroughly once a month by looking for any changes, feeling for any lumps or bumps, and checking for any skin differences.”
Know your family history
“Around a quarter of all breast cancers have a genetic element, and this can sometimes be seen in your family tree, so it’s really important to know what your family history looks like. People are generally far more open about cancer now than they were 50 years ago, but if your grandmother had breast cancer it might never have been talked about. Finding out if there is cancer in your family can help you understand your risk.
“If you have a strong family history – which means that your mother, sisters, aunts or grandmothers have had the disease – you should see your GP and ask about referrals to a family history clinic.”