New nationwide breast cancer campaign launched for older women

A new Be Clear on Cancer campaign is being launched by Public Health England to drive awareness of breast cancer in women over 70.

Around 13,400 women aged 70 and over are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, accounting for one-third of all breast cancer cases. Despite this, only 48 percent of women in this age group are able to identify any symptoms of the disease other than lumps.

Older women are also more likely to delay going to their GP with breast cancer symptoms, so the campaign will encourage them to visit their doctor straight away if they notice any unusual or persistent changes to their breasts, such as a change to a nipple, the skin or the shape.

The campaign first launched nationally in early 2014 and was followed by a 25 percent increase in the number of breast cancers diagnosed in women aged 70 and over following an urgent GP referral compared with the same period two years earlier.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, chief medical officer at Public Health England, said: "Spotting the signs of cancer early is very important so if women are concerned about any breast cancer symptoms they should contact their GP straight away."

If breast cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stage in women aged 70 and over, 93 percent will live for at least another five years. This figure drops to just 13 percent for those diagnosed at the most advanced stage.