Manveet Basra
Associate Director of Public Health, Inclusion and Awareness, Breast Cancer Now
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With one woman diagnosed every nine minutes in the UK, it’s vital to highlight the importance of early detection, regular breast checking and recognising the signs and symptoms.
Around two-thirds of breast cancers in England are found when a woman detects an unusual breast change and gets this checked by a GP. Yet, fewer than half (45%) of UK women surveyed (YouGov, September 2025) check their breasts regularly, and 11% have never checked their breasts at all.
Get to know your normal with TLC
That’s why we want to remind women to prioritise regular breast checking and get to know their normal to help spot any new or unusual breast changes. Early detection is crucial as the sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more likely treatment will be successful. It’s also vital that women know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. While most breast changes (including lumps) are not cancer, it’s important to get any new or unusual change checked by your GP. Breast checking only takes a few minutes, and there’s no right way to do it, as long as it’s done regularly — it might be while getting dressed, showering or applying moisturiser. We say it’s as simple as ‘TLC: Touch, Look, Check’.
We want to remind anyone affected
by breast cancer that we’re here to
provide information and support
in every way we can.
Breast cancer in ethnic communities
Breast health can still be considered a taboo topic in some ethnic minority communities. Cultural stigmas, myths and misconceptions can create barriers to women knowing the signs and symptoms and how to check their breasts, leading to later diagnosis and poorer outcomes.
We’re committed to helping support women from all backgrounds by sharing important breast health and breast checking messages and ensuring they feel seen and heard throughout their breast cancer journey. It’s vital we keep the conversation going, raising awareness of the unique challenges faced by women from ethnic minority communities.
The importance of breast screening
Routine breast screening is another key tool for detecting breast cancer early, often before any signs or symptoms appear, which is why we encourage women to attend appointments when invited.
In the UK, women aged 50 or over will be invited for breast screening every three years until their 71st birthday. What people don’t always realise is that they can ask for a screening appointment after they are 71 by contacting their local screening unit.
We’re here for you
At Breast Cancer Now, we want to remind anyone affected by breast cancer that we’re here to provide information and support in every way we can, all year round.
