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03/02/2014
One In Three Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer Are Over 70
One in three women diagnosed with breast cancer in England each year are aged 70 or over.
This age group also accounts for more than half of all breast cancer deaths annually, latest figures show. This age group also accounts for more than half of all breast cancer deaths annually, latest figures show.
This comes as Public Health England launches a new national Be Clear on Cancer campaign to remind older women 'don't assume you're past it', and to visit their doctor if they spot any changes in their breasts.
Two thirds of women aged 70 and over (67%) wrongly think women of all ages are equally likely to get breast cancer, when in fact a woman's risk of breast cancer increases with age.
Around 13,500 women aged 70 and over are diagnosed with breast cancer in England each year, yet survival rates are lower in this age group compared to younger women. Lack of awareness of symptoms other than a lump, such as changes in the shape or size of the breast, is believed to be one of the reasons for this, which the campaign aims to change.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, Regional Director at Public Health England, said: "Research shows that women over 70 have low awareness of breast cancer symptoms, other than a lump.
"They're also more likely to delay presenting to their GP with breast cancer, which could ultimately affect their chance of survival."
The Be Clear on Cancer campaign will see new national adverts running on TV from today until 16 March.
(CD/JP)
This age group also accounts for more than half of all breast cancer deaths annually, latest figures show. This age group also accounts for more than half of all breast cancer deaths annually, latest figures show.
This comes as Public Health England launches a new national Be Clear on Cancer campaign to remind older women 'don't assume you're past it', and to visit their doctor if they spot any changes in their breasts.
Two thirds of women aged 70 and over (67%) wrongly think women of all ages are equally likely to get breast cancer, when in fact a woman's risk of breast cancer increases with age.
Around 13,500 women aged 70 and over are diagnosed with breast cancer in England each year, yet survival rates are lower in this age group compared to younger women. Lack of awareness of symptoms other than a lump, such as changes in the shape or size of the breast, is believed to be one of the reasons for this, which the campaign aims to change.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, Regional Director at Public Health England, said: "Research shows that women over 70 have low awareness of breast cancer symptoms, other than a lump.
"They're also more likely to delay presenting to their GP with breast cancer, which could ultimately affect their chance of survival."
The Be Clear on Cancer campaign will see new national adverts running on TV from today until 16 March.
(CD/JP)
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17 October 2005
Breast cancer can cost ‘thousands’
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Breast cancer can cost ‘thousands’
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08 August 2003
HRT therapy can double breast cancer risk
Certain kinds of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can double a woman's risk of breast cancer, according to major research study of more than a million women. Researchers found that post-menopausal women using combination HRT were twice as likely to develop breast cancer as non-users.
HRT therapy can double breast cancer risk
Certain kinds of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can double a woman's risk of breast cancer, according to major research study of more than a million women. Researchers found that post-menopausal women using combination HRT were twice as likely to develop breast cancer as non-users.
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