1 in 5 who suspect breast cancer put off GP visit for a month

THOUSANDS of women are risking their lives by waiting more than a month before seeing their GP after spotting breast cancer symptoms.

One in five diagnosed with the disease had put off making an appointment for at least four weeks, allowing the cancer time to spread and potentially reduce their chance of survival.

And one in 20 had delayed seeing the doctor for more than six months, according to a survey of patients.

Some said they were scared about what they might be told, while others were worried they would be seen as a nuisance.

Women in their fifties and sixties were among the worst culprits, the poll by the charity Breast Cancer Care found, because they wrongly assumed they were in the clear after they had been through menopause.

Britain has one of the worst cancer survival rates in Europe and this has been blamed on the disease being detected too late.

Breast cancer patients in the UK have a five-year survival rate of 81 per cent, lagging behind many European countries, with France, Italy and Sweden boasting an 83 per cent survival rate back in the mid 1990s.

Experts have blamed this gap on the reluctance of patients to seek help and poor detection rates by GPs.

Samia al Qadhi, chief executive at Breast Cancer Care, said: ‘It is extremely concerning that some women are waiting more than six months to visit their GP after finding a breast symptom.

‘The sooner a cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment is likely to be.’

She added: ‘We know how scary it can be to find a breast change but we want to reassure women that an early diagnosis of breast cancer can mean simpler and more effective treatment.’

Symptoms to look out for include a lump in the breast or under the armpit, a change in breast or nipple size and shape, dimpling of the skin, and a rash on or surrounding the nipple. Dr Fran Woodard, director of policy and research at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: ‘It is really worrying that many women may not realise how serious some of their signs and symptoms for breast cancer are and wait too long before seeing their GP.

‘We know that people who are diagnosed early have a better chance of surviving cancer and having fewer long-term complications. That’s why it is crucial that people recognise the symptoms for cancer and seek help as soon as possible.

‘UK cancer survival rates currently trail behind much of Europe. If we are serious about bridging this gap we need to address issues such as early diagnosis as a matter of urgency.’

The survey of 403 women diagnosed with breast cancer found that 5 per cent had waited at least six months before making an appointment. If this trend is seen in all breast cancer patients it would equate to 2,500 women diagnosed in England each year.

And 17 per cent waited at least a month, equating to 8,500 a year. There are around 12,000 deaths from breast cancer in the UK each year, with 50,300 cases diagnosed in 2011, despite it being one of the most treatable forms of cancer.

Of those who had delayed their appointment by at least a month, 30 per cent did so because they assumed it ‘wasn’t a serious issue.’

Another 20 per cent were too scared of what they would find out, while 10 per cent said they were worried about being a ‘nuisance’.

Experts are particularly concerned about older women putting off a possible diagnosis, with the over 70s making up more than half of breast cancer deaths every year.

Jackie Harris, a senior nurse at Breast Cancer Care said: ‘Older women tend to assume that once they have passed the menopause they are no longer at risk. It’s really important that women carry on checking past this age.’

‘Crucial to seek help early’