This month our Wellbeing Strategy Group focus is Breast Cancer Awareness. During October we will be sharing information and resources about Breast Cancer: signs and symptoms; reducing risk of breast cancer; screening.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease and raise funds for research and support. This week our focus is on signs and symptoms for men and women.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK, with around one in seven women developing the disease in their lifetime. It is also the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the UK. However, survival rates for breast cancer are high, especially when it is caught early.
Breast cancer is often thought of as something that only affects women, but men can get it in rare cases. It grows in the small amount of breast tissue men have behind their nipples. It usually happens in men over 60 but can very occasionally affect younger men.
What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer for women?
The most common signs and symptoms of breast cancer are:
- A lump in the breast or underarm
- Changes in the size, shape, or symmetry of the breast
- Nipple discharge
- Nipple retraction (turning inward)
- Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
- Pain in the breast or nipple
If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away.
What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer for men?
The symptoms of breast cancer in men include:
- a lump in the breast – this is usually hard, painless and does not move around within the breast
- the nipple turning inwards
- fluid oozing from the nipple (nipple discharge), which may be streaked with blood
- a sore or rash around the nipple that does not go away
- the nipple or surrounding skin becoming hard, red or swollen
- small bumps in the armpit (swollen glands)
If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away.
Want to know more?
Here are some links to supporting articles about breast cancer in the UK:
- NHS breast cancer information
- Cancer Research UK breast cancer information
- Breast Cancer Now breast cancer information
- Prevent Breast Cancer UK
- Breast Cancer UK: reduce your risk – breast cancer in men
- Breast Cancer Now: breast cancer in men
- Cancer Research UK: breast cancer in men
- Macmillan Cancer Support: breast cancer in men
There are different types of breast cancer and breast conditions. Invasive breast cancer or invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. Find out about each type of breast cancer or condition here.
We have shared some useful resources on our UK News download page here.
We have also made a poster to display on all workplace notice boards – this shares a QR code to the download folder for these resources. You can find this poster here.
Next week we will focus on the risk factors for breast cancer in both men and women.