‘CHECK YOUR BREASTS YOURSELF TO STOP CANCER’

Researchers advised annual mammograms for high-risk 35 to 39 years olds, but Dr C says being breast aware is still best

Recent headlines suggesting annual mammograms for at-risk 35-39-year-olds may leave you thinking these women are being ignored by the NHS – but we regularly ultrasound high-risk young women. For me, the bigger worry is older women who aren’t reminded to go for scans, even though they’re the most at-risk group.

BE PROACTIVE

You start being called for mammograms at age 50, but invites stop on your 71st birthday. If anything should change, it’s that. Over 80% of breast cancers are in women over 50, and about a third are in women over 70, which is when the reminders stop and you have to contact your local breast screening unit to book a mammogram.

ASK YOUR FAMILY

This study suggested annual mammograms, but younger women identified as at high risk are given ultrasounds, because younger tissue is denser and less easy to scan with mammograms, so results can be unreliable. If you have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer – a close relative, like your mum or aunt being diagnosed under the age of 50 – ask to be screened to check if you have the faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. The average healthy woman’s chance of getting breast cancer by the age of 70 is 12%. But if you have the BRCA1 gene, it’s 60% and, with the BRCA2 gene, 55%. Doctors are aware of that, so those women are monitored. If that sounds like you and your doctor hasn’t suggested the testing, ask for it.

KNOW YOUR ‘NORMAL’

The best method of detection is still breast awareness, but I worry that all the information out there about how to examine your breasts can be off-putting, making women feel they need to be doctors to detect anything. I tell my patients that all they need to do is notice whatever wasn’t there last time they felt.

Breasts can be lumpy, but they tend to be lumpiest around your period so don’t check then, but feel them monthly so you know what’s usual. Don’t panic if you feel a bump; about nine in 10 lumps that women can feel themselves turn out not to be cancer, but it’s always best to check. Similarly, if you notice discharge from your nipple, in most cases it’s either normal or due to a minor condition. Pain is also far more likely to be period-related or a pulled muscle but, to know for sure, ask. Get to know your breasts and, if in doubt, see the GP.