WOMEN are being urged to be breast cancer aware after worrying statistics showed many could be going undiagnosed during Covid-19.
Research by leading charity Breast Cancer Now revealed nearly 11,000 people in the UK could be living with breast cancer that has not yet been diagnosed due to disruption caused by the pandemic.
Between March and December last year there was a 90,000 drop in referrals to specialists for patients with possible symptoms of breast cancer in England.
READ MORE: Sussex breast cancer survivor: 'Don't be scared to make that call in lockdown'
According to Breast Cancer Now, women reported a reluctance to attend medical appointments for fear of catching Covid-19, and not wanting to further burden the health service.
With the NHS breast screening programme being paused and appointments now running at a reduced rate due to safety measures, nearly 1.2 million fewer women had breast screenings between last March and December.
The charity has warned that in the worst cases some women could die as a result of delayed diagnoses, and has urged anyone who believes they may have symptoms to contact their GP as soon as possible.
In rare cases men can get breast cancer and should also be aware of any changes in their breast tissue. Cancer normally occurs in men over 60, but can very occasionally affect younger men, according to the NHS.
Common symptoms to look out for include:
- a lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit – you might feel the lump but not see it
- a change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling
- a change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look red or inflamed
- a change to the nipple, such as becoming pulled in (inverted)
- rash or crusting around the nipple
- any unusual liquid (discharge) from either nipple
- changes in size or shape of the breast
- on its own, pain in your breasts is not usually a sign of breast cancer, but look out for pain which is there all or most of the time.
A spokeswoman for the Sussex NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) said: “It is really important for both women and men to be aware of changes in your breasts and to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
“If you become aware of a possible symptom or you have any worries please contact your GP and get checked.
“NHS services are open, have safety measures in place, and are there for you to make sure you get the best possible advice and support.
“Please don’t delay – finding breast cancer early gives you a better chance of successful treatment.”
Dr Jeanette Dickson, president of the Royal College of Radiologists, said: “It is vital those patients who missed screening last year – or who did not see their GP if they had possible symptoms – come forward.
"The NHS is open for business and the sooner we can diagnose cancer, the sooner we can treat it."
For more information, visit the NHS page on breast cancer or the Breast Cancer Now website.
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