Women See Family History Not Old Age As Greatest Breast Cancer Risk

Over three-quarters (77%) of British women recognise family history of breast cancer as a major determining factor for developing Breast Cancer, but worryingly, only thirteen per cent correctly identify old age as something that puts women at most risk.

In fact, it is estimated that only between five and ten per cent of breast cancers are hereditary and while the causes of breast cancer are complex, the most important risk factor is age, with around eighty per cent of breast cancers occurring in women over 50.

Almost half of women said the media were a source of breast cancer information, highlighting just how vital the media is in enlightening women about the disease.

While there is a high level of awareness of lumps being a potential symptom of breast cancer, other symptoms remain less well known. Over half of women are not aware that:

• change in the appearance in the skin of the breast (54%);
• change in the direction of the nipple (57%);
• change in the size or shape of the breast (52%) or
• blood-stained nipple discharge (60%)

... may be signs of the disease.

Technical details

MORI Social Research Institute interviewed a representative quota sample of 1,059 women face-to-face and at home at 187 sample points throughout Great Britain on behalf of Breakthrough Breast Cancer between the 22 and 28 August 2002.