THANKS to awareness campaigns and high-profile celebrities sharing their experiences of the disease, the majority of us have some understanding of breast cancer and what to look out for.

Recent statistics indicate 55,000 new cases in women and 370 in men per year in the UK. Globally this equates to 2.3 million diagnoses and sadly 685,000 deaths annually. Worldwide it is the second most common cancer in women, ranking just behind skin cancer, and the second highest cause of cancer related deaths in females, lung cancer coming first.

Despite these figures, in the developed world, survival has doubled in the last 40 years through a combination of education and advances in screening and treatments. At the present time 85% of women in the western hemisphere will live five or more years after a diagnosis.

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However, breast self-awareness still appears to be low. Almost half of UK women do not check themselves regularly for signs of breast cancer.

You don’t need to be an expert, or to be able to examine your breasts in the way a professional would. All you need is an understanding of what is normal for you, from which you can then spot any alterations or signs of potential concern. A lump is not the only thing to be aware of. Other symptoms to look out for include breast pain even in the absence of a lump, a lump in the armpit, change in the shape of the breast, and skin alterations including how it looks and feels, as well as colour. Any nipple pain, discharge or bleeding should not be ignored. If you spot anything, seek immediate medical help. This being said, thankfully the majority of breast changes will not be cancer.

The biggest risk factors for breast cancer are those which cannot be changed – gender and age. More than eighty percent of breast cancers occur in those without a family history of the disease. A family history is typically one first degree relative with the disease under 40, or two first degree relatives with breast cancer under 50.

Certain genes are associated with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer. If you are found to have these, discussions may include surgery, before breast cancer develops.

Although lifestyle factors are discussed in preventing any disease, they are often overlooked in practice. A healthy diet, regular moderate cardiovascular exercise and not smoking are the pillars of longevity for many.