TWO in three women aren’t regularly checking themselves for signs of breast cancer – because they forget or don’t know what they are looking for.
The study of 2,000 women across the UK found just 36 per cent check themselves once a month, the amount health experts recommend.
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Regular self-checks are key to spotting changes early, such as lumps, swelling or changes to shape or skin.
But 13 per cent of women confessed they never check at all.
And only 18 per cent said they know all the signs and symptoms to look out for.
The top reasons given were forgetting (44 per cent), not feeling confident (17 per cent) and not knowing how to do it properly (11 per cent).
The research was carried out by Estée Lauder Companies’ UK & Ireland for its Breast Cancer Campaign.
It has teamed up with TV doctor Zoe Williams to create a simple self-check video designed to boost confidence and encourage women to make checking a habit.
Dr Zoe said: “Getting to know how your breasts look and feel will help you know what is normal for you.
“Getting into the habit of regularly self-checking, around once per month, should be part of your routine, just like brushing your teeth.
“Confidence in self-checking is a big barrier for many people, and that’s something we need to address through more education, helping women and men feel more confident in being breast, and chest aware.
“Everyone should feel empowered to understand their own body, and that starts with knowing what to look out for and when to seek advice.”
Almost a quarter of women who never check said they’ve never been shown how to do it.
And 34 per cent said they would check more often if they had access to easy-to-follow guides or videos.
Shockingly, 61 per cent of women admitted they did not seek medical advice even when worried about possible breast cancer symptoms.
The survey also found younger women aged 18 to 29 are most likely to talk about breast health with friends or family – with 79 per cent saying they feel comfortable having those conversations.
Four in ten people believe self-checking should be taught in schools and universities to encourage good habits from a young age.
The results show improvements compared to 2022, when rates of self-checking were even lower.
Back then, 69 per cent of women under 40 were only checking every two months or less. That number has now dropped to 65 per cent.
And black women, who had the lowest rates in 2022, have also improved – with the number checking every two months or less falling from 76 per cent to 56 per cent.
Pernilla Nyberg, general manager and senior vice president of Estée Lauder Companies UK&I, said: “The Breast Cancer Campaign has made great strides over the years.
“We are encouraged by the significant improvements we are seeing in awareness and prevention; however, our research highlights that there is still progress to be made in empowering all women to confidently perform regular breast self-checks.
“Together with our UK regional campaign ambassadors, we remain deeply committed to our mission of ensuring that everyone is aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and feels confident advocating for their own breast health.”
She added: “We are proud to continue this vital work in partnership with our ambassadors, driving awareness and action across the UK.”
How to check your breasts
It is important to regularly check your breasts for any changes. Breast tissue reaches all the way up to your collarbone and across to your armpit, so it’s vital to check these areas too.
If you feel or see any changes in your breast you should always consult your GP.
Charity CoppaFeel! recommends checking your breasts monthly, so you can pick up on any changes quickly.
Breasts do change naturally as part of your monthly menstrual cycle, so you should get to know your breasts, how they feel and what changes they usually go through to know if anything is out of the ordinary.
Five-step check
There is a five-step self exam you can do at home to check for any changes.
Step one: Begin by looking in a mirror, facing it with your arms on your hips and your shoulders straight. You should be looking for any dimpling, puckering, bulging skin, redness, soreness, a rash or changes in the nipple.
Step two: Still looking in the mirror, raise both arms above your head and check for the same changes.
Step three: With your arms still above your head, check for any fluid coming from the nipples. This can include milky, yellow or watery fluid, or blood.
Step four: While lying down use your opposite hand to check each breast. Using a few fingers, keeping them flat and together, go in a small circular motion around your breasts. Make sure you feel the entire breast by going top to bottom in these small circles. It helps to develop a system or pattern to make sure every inch is covered. Use light pressure for the skin and tissue just beneath, medium pressure for the tissue in the middle of your breasts, and firm pressure to feel the tissue at the back, feeling down to your ribcage.
Step five: Feel your breasts while either standing or sitting, using the same small circular motions.
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