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RAISING AWARENESS: Baroness Floella Benjamin

BARONESS FLOELLA Benjamin is urging black women aged 70 and older to be aware of non-lump breast cancer symptoms.

The former children's show host and actress Dona Croll are supporting Public Health England’s Be Clear on Cancer breast cancer campaign aimed at women aged 70.

The campaign, which coincides with Cancer Equality’s Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Month, aims to drive awareness of the risk of breast cancer amongst this age group and to increase their knowledge of lesser-known breast cancer symptoms which could include:

• Changes to the skin of your breast
• Changes in the shape or size of your breast or nipple
• Nipple discharge
• Pain in your breast
• Any other unusual or persistent changes to your breast

Baroness Floella Benjamin said: “We know that breast cancer is still a taboo amongst older Black women but the truth is as Black women we need to talk about the risk and symptoms of breast cancer more openly to increase our understanding of the disease and reduce the fear and misconceptions associated with it.

"A lump isn’t the only symptom that is important to know about; other symptoms of breast cancer could also include changes to your breast shape, size, skin or nipple.

Around 13,400 women aged 70 and over are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, accounting for a third of all breast cancer cases.

Approximately 30 per cent of all women diagnosed with breast cancer report a symptom other than a lump. However, research shows that when asked to name symptoms of breast cancer, only half of women over 70 (48 per cent) could name a symptom aside from a lump.

Despite older women being at an increased risk of breast cancer, they are also more likely to delay going to their GP with breast cancer symptoms and for older Black women there are often cultural and religious issues that can cause delay.

Benjamin added: "I want to encourage black women over 70 to pay attention to their breasts. If you notice any changes to your breasts make sure you tell your doctor straight away. Remember you can grow old stylishly, gracefully but most of all healthily.”

The nationwide Be Clear on Cancer breast cancer in women over 70 campaign launched last week Monday (Jul 13), and will run for eight weeks.

Arikoge Ogedegbe, consultant and lead surgeon at King George Hospital, Barking, Havering and Redbridge, said: “I regularly treat and perform surgery on women over the age of 70 - my oldest patient was 99 years - and always tell women that breast cancer is more treatable if found early."

LEAD SURGEON: Dr Arikoge
Ogedegbe

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

"The physical impact of breast surgery if the cancer is detected early is minimal. Delayed diagnosis and therefore treatment reduces longevity and has an adverse effect on both immediate and extended families. As a surgeon, I’m delighted to be supporting the Be Clear on Cancer campaign because the earlier we can diagnose cancer, the more treatment options we can offer our patients," he added.

For more information on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer please visit nhs.uk/breastcancer70