Recently, the government health agency, Public Health England organized a survey among older women and according to the said survey fewer than half of the women over 70 could not name a symptom of breast cancer other than a lump. It was also found out in the same survey that older women more likely would delay going to their general practitioner.
It has been observed that one in three women diagnosed with breast cancer each year are ages 70 or over. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in England, with more than 40,000 women diagnosed every year.
The said government health agency started a campaign called "Be Clear on Cancer", which encourages older women to visit their doctor the soonest they notice any change with the breast from a slight lump to a change in shape or skin color of the breast or the nipple.
A spokesperson of Public Health England in the name of Jenny Harries said, "We want women 70 and over to be aware of their breasts and to recognize any changes, report any new symptoms and just remember that you're not past it when it comes to breast cancer."
It has been recorded that roughly 9,500 die each year from breast cancer and more than half of these women are over the age of 70. The Cancer Research director of early diagnosis had stated that , "This campaign highlights two important facts that aren't well known - that breast cancer isn't just about lumps, and that older women are most at risk." She also added that, "We hope these latest Be Clear on Cancer adverts will encourage women, especially older ones, to tell their GP about any unusual or persistent changes to their breasts, be that a lump, or something else like discharge, or a change to the skin or nipple. An early diagnosis, regardless of age, usually makes breast cancer more treatable."
