Black and South Asian UK Women Checking Breasts – EMJ

A RECORD number of Black and South Asian women in the UK are checking their breasts regularly for signs and symptoms of breast cancer, new YouGov figures released by Breast Cancer Now have revealed.

The data shows that 43% of Black and South Asian UK adult women check their breasts at least weekly, monthly, or once every six weeks.

This marks a 9% increase in women checking regularly since 2024.

Manveet Basra, associate director of public health, inclusion and awareness, Breast Cancer Now, London, UK, said: “It’s really encouraging that almost half of Black and South Asian women are checking their breasts – this is a record high and so important as checking your breasts could save your life.

“However, our survey also reveals gaps in women’s confidence and knowledge around checking for signs and symptoms of breast cancer.”

Knowing the Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Black and South Asian UK women who check their breasts less often than once every six weeks cited barriers such as: forgetting to check (41%), not being in the habit of checking (37%), not knowing what to look for (15%), not feeling confident checking (14%), and not knowing how to check (13%).

One in seven women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

Around two-thirds of breast cancers are found by breast checking and finding it early can significantly boost chances of treatment success.

Breast Cancer Now urged women to check any new changes or anything unusual with a GP, no matter how small.

Basra added: “Two thirds of breast cancers are found by breast checking, so learn the signs and symptoms of breast cancer today and get into the habit of checking your breasts regularly.

“And building it into your self-care routine could help to ensure you check regularly – you could do it in the shower or bath, when getting dressed or in bed before you go to sleep.”

Featured image: Cultura Creative on Adobe Stock