Breast Cancer Awareness Month Starts Today
October is internationally recognised as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The campaign gives individuals and organisations an opportunity to come together to highlight the importance of awareness, education and research.
Each year in the UK, around 55,000 women and 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. While outcomes have improved for people diagnosed with the disease in recent decades, breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers impacting individuals and families.
How does breast cancer develop?
Breast cancer develops when cells in the breast tissue begin to multiply abnormally. These cells can invade surrounding tissue and potentially spread to other parts of the body if left unchecked.
Because early-stage breast cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms, screening plays a key role in catching the disease before it advances. In the UK, women aged 50 to 70 are typically invited for mammograms every three years.
Why is early detection so important?
Diagnosing breast cancer early often means less aggressive treatments, a higher survival rate and a better quality of life.
For example, very small tumours that are spotted early may be treated with a lumpectomy (removing only the tumour), rather than a more invasive procedure like a mastectomy (removing one or both breasts).
When diagnosis is delayed, it allows the cancer time to spread – making treatment more complex and often less effective. This is why it’s so important that symptoms are addressed early on.
We spoke to our Head of Legal Services, Jacqueline Busby, about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment:
“Early diagnosis of breast cancer can be life-changing, offering the best chance of effective treatment and recovery. Sadly, we know that some people experience delays or have concerns overlooked, and the impact of this can be devastating for them and their loved ones.
“That’s why raising awareness is so vital, to ensure that symptoms are recognised and acted upon quickly – giving everyone the best possible chance of a positive outcome.”
When things go wrong – misdiagnosis and late diagnosis
Unfortunately, delays in cancer diagnosis can and do still happen. This may be due to medical professionals:
- Overlooking important symptoms
- Not completing a thorough examination
- Not arranging a referral to a specialist
- Incorrectly reading scans or X-rays
- Misreading or misunderstanding test results
If you believe your breast cancer was misdiagnosed or diagnosed too late, you could be entitled to compensation and support. Our team is here to help you.
To find out if we could help, get in touch with us for a free initial chat.
