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Older women unaware of breast cancer risk

08/10/2008

Many older women are unaware that increased age is a major risk factor in breast cancer, a report claims.

A study published in the British Journal of Cancer today questioned 700 British women aged between 67 and 73 to find out what they knew about breast cancer symptoms, their awareness of their potential risk of developing the cancer and how confident they are in detecting any breast change.

The survey found that while 85 per cent of the women recognised that lumps were a sign of breast cancer, more than 50 per cent failed to identify symptoms such as nipple rash, skin redness or a change in breast size.

Researchers found that half of women thought the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer was one in 100, instead of the actual figure – one in nine.

Worryingly, 75 per cent of the women also did not realise that the risk of developing breast cancer increased with age.

Professor Amanda Ramirez, director of the Cancer Research UK London psychosocial group and lead author of the report, said: "The lack of awareness about breast cancer among older women is especially serious as they are more at risk of breast cancer, more likely to delay going to the doctor with symptoms and also have poorer survival from the disease.

"Older women need to be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to detect breast changes and get them checked by a doctor."

She added that because women is some areas of the UK were not being invited for regular breast screenings once they reached 70, it meant that older women who have an increased risk of breast cancer are not routinely protected.

"It is important to remember that more than one in three breast symptoms in women over 65 are due to cancer, while only one in 10 symptoms in younger women are caused by cancer," Ms Ramirez said.

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's director of health information, concluded: "Early detection and diagnosis of cancer can lead to better outcomes for patients. We may detect cancer earlier by encouraging greater awareness of cancer generally and more specific understanding of the signs and symptoms of cancer for those at higher risk."