Tejal Somvanshi
Nearly half of women in the UK aren’t checking their breasts regularly for potential signs of cancer, according to recent polling that experts call “a serious cause for concern.”
A YouGov survey of 2,283 women revealed that 45% don’t perform regular breast checks, a four-year high in self-examination rates. Even more concerning, 11% admitted they had never checked their breasts at all.
“That the number of women still not regularly checking their breasts is at a four-year high is deeply concerning given that the sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of treatment being successful,” said Manveet Basra from Breast Cancer Now.
Among women who do examine themselves, 32% reported lacking confidence that they would notice changes that might indicate cancer. Common reasons for skipping checks included forgetting, not being in the habit, and uncertainty about proper technique.
This gap in self-examination comes alongside fresh research showing that missing a first mammogram appointment significantly increases long-term mortality risk. A major study published in the British Medical Journal tracked nearly half a million Swedish women for up to 25 years and found that those who skipped their first screening had 40% higher breast cancer death rates.
Women who missed initial screenings were also less likely to attend future appointments and faced higher chances of being diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer. The death rate over 25 years was 9.9 per 1,000 women among non-attenders compared to 7 per 1,000 for those who got screened.
“The increased mortality is mainly due to delayed detection,” researchers noted. “First mammography screening could be a crucial time point for prevention of adverse breast cancer outcomes.”
In England, women receive their first breast screening invitation by age 53, with regular screenings offered between ages 50 and 71. Latest NHS figures show 70% of eligible women were up to date with screenings as of March 2024, meaning nearly one in three had not attended.
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Early detection remains vital, as around two-thirds of breast cancers in England are found when women notice changes and visit their doctor. Women should watch for symptoms including lumps or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit; skin changes like puckering or dimpling; changes in breast color, size or shape; nipple changes; rash or crusting around the nipple; and unusual discharge.
Carmen Lorimer, 40, from West Lothian, Scotland, experienced this firsthand. “I wasn’t in the habit of regularly checking my breasts, but I noticed a lump when I was in the shower one day,” she said. After being diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer, she underwent a lumpectomy, lymph node removal, radiotherapy, and medication.
“When you get a scare that it could all be taken away from you so prematurely it really is an eye-opener and shows you how precious life is,” Lorimer said. Claire Rowney, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, emphasized the need for improved screening participation: “With a worryingly high number of women not attending their first breast screening appointment, we urgently need to ensure women are encouraged to get screened, and that screening is easily accessible to all invited.”
Breast Cancer Now and other organizations are calling for governments across the UK to aim for an 80% screening uptake target, which could help save more lives through early detection.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among UK women, with around 56,800 cases diagnosed annually and approximately 11,500 deaths each year. However, routine screening is estimated to prevent about 1,300 deaths annually, and long-term survival rates have improved significantly since the 1990s.
