Women ‘must recognise and report non-lump breast cancer symptoms’

Women need to be more aware of potential symptoms of breast cancer beyond breast lumps, according to a new study.

Researchers from University College London have assessed data from more than 2,300 women diagnosed with breast cancer in England in 2009-10, indicating that 17 percent of them had been to see their doctor with a symptom other than a lump.

These symptoms can include nipple abnormalities, breast pain, skin abnormalities, ulceration, shape abnormalities and an infected or inflamed breast. The research indicated that women are more likely to put off asking their doctor about these symptoms than would be the case if they had a lump.

This could potentially create critical delays in treating the disease, thereby lowering the patient's chance of survival.

Dr Karen Kennedy, director of the National Cancer Research Institute, said: "Awareness campaigns need to raise awareness of all of the potential symptoms of breast cancer, so that people know how to spot the signs and when to go to a doctor."

There are more than 53,600 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the UK every year, leading to 11,400 deaths from the disease annually.

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