Breast cancer risk to six million women

Millions of women are putting their health at risk by failing to check their breasts and delaying seeking help for symptoms which could indicate breast cancer.

One in four women (24 per cent) – 5.8 million - have never checked their breasts for signs of cancer or can’t remember the last time they did (1), according to new research from Bupa and HCA Healthcare UK.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, but despite survival rates of nearly 100 per cent if diagnosed at the earliest stage (2), more than two in five (39 per cent) admit they would delay visiting a doctor for medical help if faced with a symptom, with 23 per cent saying they would wait for up to two weeks and one in 10 waiting for up to a month.

One in three women (34 per cent) reported being discouraged from seeking help for breast concerns – rising to over half of 18-34 year olds - due to factors such as fears about wasting the doctor’s time or embarrassment about their symptoms.

These concerns may be fuelled by lack of confidence in identifying the symptoms of breast cancer. Only 17 per cent of women could correctly identify eight symptoms of breast cancer such as a lump, breast pain or nipple changes*, and 12 per cent couldn’t identify any. Less than half of women identified that a change in skin colour or a rash could be symptomatic of breast cancer.

Women also reported difficulties accessing medical help, with one in seven saying it’s hard to get a GP appointment (rising to one in five among 18 – 34 year olds) and others saying they are too busy or unable to take time off work. But a third of those polled (30 per cent) stated that they would be more inclined to seek help for a breast related concern if waiting times for appointments and results were shorter.

Fast access to diagnosis and treatment

To provide patients with the fastest access to diagnosis, Bupa and HCA UK are partnering to launch Specialist Centres for breast cancer, which will offer an appointment with a consultant within two working days of calling Bupa, and all initial diagnostic tests completed in one appointment. If treatment is needed, it will be provided within 31 days of calling Bupa– less than half the time set out in national targets.

Patients using the Specialist Centres will have their treatment planned by an expert multi-disciplinary team, who will provide a treatment plan including access to genetic testing and advanced genomics as appropriate for the individual patient. Patients will have support from Bupa’s Oncology Specialist Support Team and HCA Healthcare UK’s Clinical Nurse Specialists, and emotional support services provided by Bupa’s team of counsellors via the telephone, this support also includes one session for a close family member.

Miss Joanna Franks, consultant breast and oncoplastic surgeon, HCA Healthcare UK, said: “Early diagnosis for breast cancer is so important, as it can prevent patients needing to undergo complex surgery and drug treatments. Ninety per cent of women diagnosed at an early stage will be alive and well five years post diagnosis however, this drops to just 15 per cent for those diagnosed at a later stage.

“At HCA Healthcare UK, we can offer all initial investigations within one appointment at one of our specialist breast clinics. Initial results will also be discussed on the same day, to hopefully offer peace of mind. However, if a patient does require further investigation then these will be carried out very quickly – with results received within two days.”

Julia Ross, head of cancer care, Bupa UK, said:“It’s easy for our health to slip down the list of priorities, and sometimes it can be hard to remember all of the cancer symptoms we’re supposed to be looking out for. But early detection is so important to improving outcomes – so I’d urge women to make time to get to know what is normal for their breasts to enable them to identify any changes.

“As well as looking and feeling for lumps in the breast or armpit, changes in size or shape or changes to the nipple such as discharge, a good rule of thumb is to look out for any change that’s unexplained or persistent – and if you’re worried to seek medical advice.”

*Eight symptoms of breast cancer

1. A lump in the breast
2. A lump in the armpit
3. Nipple changes (such as a change to the shape or direction)
4. Discharge from the nipple
5. Change to size or shape of breasts
6. Change in skin texture (it may become dimpled or puckered)
7. Change in the colour of the skin (it may look red)
8. A skin rash (on or around the nipple)

For more information visit the Bupa website.


ENDS

Research conducted by Opinium Research between 11-14 January 2019 among 2,002 UK women aged 18+.

(1) 24 per cent of UK women or 5,885,887 people said they have never or can’t remember the last time they checked their breasts
(2) https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/breast-cancer#heading-Three

Notes to Editors
Key features of the Specialist Centres for Breast Cancer include:
• One appointment for all initial diagnostics under one roof within two working days, giving customers peace of mind or fast access to appropriate treatment sooner.
• Access to the HCA UK hospitals with the latest equipment to accurately diagnose symptoms and get you on the right treatment path.
• Emotional and wellbeing support from a team including Bupa counsellors and HCA and Bupa nurses.
*Hospitals must meet a Care Quality Commission rating of "good" or "outstanding”. The Specialist Centres for Breast Cancer are located at:
• The Harley Street Clinic, Marylebone - Outstanding
• The Lister Hospital, Chelsea – Outstanding
• The London Bridge Hospital, London Bridge - Outstanding
• The Wellington Hospital, St John’s Wood - Good
• The Wilmslow Hospital, Cheshire – treatment will be delivered at The Christie Private Care, part of HCA Healthcare UK - Outstanding

About HCA Healthcare UK
• HCA Healthcare UK is the country's largest provider of privately funded care, with over 800,000 patient visits every year. From complex and urgent care, to primary care, outpatient and day-case treatment, HCA UK provide care across our network of facilities in London and Manchester.
• HCA Healthcare UK includes London Bridge Hospital, The Portland Hospital, The Harley Street Clinic, The Lister Hospital, The Princess Grace Hospital, The Wellington Hospital, Primary care at HCA UK. HCA UK also work with leading NHS Trusts to provide care at Private Care at The Christie and HCA UK at University College Hospital and Private Care at Guy’s.
• For more information https://www.hcahealthcare.co.uk/
About Bupa

• Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives.

• With no shareholders, our customers are our focus. We reinvest profits into providing more and better healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers.

• We serve 15.5m health insurance customers, provide healthcare to over 14.5m people in our clinics and hospitals and look after over 22,900 aged care residents.

• We directly employ over 78,000 people, principally in the UK, Australia, Spain, Poland, Chile, New Zealand, Hong Kong, the USA, Brazil, the Middle East and Ireland. We also have associate businesses in Saudi Arabia and India.

• Health insurance accounts for the majority our business. In some markets we also operate clinics, dental centres, hospitals, and care homes and villages.

• For more information, visit www.bupa.com.