Audrey Birt: Early detection is vital in battle against breast cancer

and the earlier breast cancer is detected and diagnosed, the better the chances of a successful outcome.

Scotland has a cancer survival deficit compared with other European countries. A key reason is late presentation. It seems that women delay visiting their GPs, making it more likely that they have advanced symptoms which are difficult to treat. While other factors such as fatalism or fear of what may be found may play a part, without the knowledge of breast awareness women will be at greater risk of being diagnosed with advanced disease.

But levels of breast awareness among Scottish women are poor. Recent surveys by Breakthrough Breast Cancer found that around a quarter of women do not know a lump is a sign of breast cancer, one in six do not know any sign or symptom and only a third of women check regularly. Yet we know that 80 per cent of all breast cancers are found by women themselves. Getting this bit right is crucial.

Women also need to have a realistic assessment of their risk: too many wrongly assume that no family history protects them from the condition, whereas four-fifths of those diagnosed will have no family history at all.

All of this is why Breakthrough welcomes the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early initiative, which will have a focus on ensuring more women are detected at an earlier stage.

It is also is why Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October is so important – to empower and encourage women to check their breasts regularly and to know what to look for. Breakthrough has developed a memorable message called TLC – Touch, Look, Check. Touch regularly, look for any changes, check anything unusual with your GP and attend breast screening if you are over 50.

All of this work is a vital part of our mission, for a future free from the fear of breast cancer.

l Audrey Birt is Scotland director of Breakthrough Breast Cancer