Number of women not regularly checking their breasts at 4 year high, warns leading breast cancer charity

New research has revealed that 45% of UK women don’t check their breasts regularly for possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer, marking a 4% increase since 2022 (41%).[1] 

Leading research and support charity, Breast Cancer Now, is warning that this is a serious cause for concern when early diagnosis is crucial to saving more lives from this devastating disease. And two-thirds of breast cancers in England are found when women notice a new or unusual breast change and get it checked out by a GP.[2] 

According to the YouGov survey commissioned by the charity, the number of women in the UK reporting they have never checked their breasts has also increased by one percent to 11% (from 10% in 2024).[3] 

When asked what stops or prevents women from regular breast checking, multiple barriers were revealed, including: forgetting to check (46%), not being in the habit of checking their breasts (36%), lacking confidence in checking their breasts (17%) and not knowing how to check their breasts (13%). 

Of the women who check their breasts for possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer, 32% said they don’t feel confident that they would notice a breast change.[4] 

In a bid to tackle these worrying and worsening trends, and reach and empower even more women with the vital health message of ‘getting to know their normal’, this Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), Breast Cancer Now has partnered with the creative minds at Ogilvy to create a national ‘Checklist' awareness campaign that taps into cultural moments to remind women across the country to make breast checking a priority on their to-do lists. The campaign makes its debut to coincide with the Women's Rugby World Cup Final on Saturday 27 September, continuing throughout October and beyond. 

The latest findings come as Breast Cancer Now launches ‘Change Happens Now’, its new strategy which sets out how the charity will go further, faster over the next five years, changing the game on breast cancer to realise its vision that by 2050, everyone with breast cancer will live and live well.[5] Central to this is making sure everyone is breast aware – knowing both the possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the importance of regularly checking their breasts - and connecting with communities who face the biggest barriers to improving breast awareness and early detection.   

Manveet Basra, associate director of public health, inclusion and awareness at Breast Cancer Now, said: 

“That the number of women (45%) in the UK still not regularly checking their breasts is at a four-year high is deeply concerning given the sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of treatment being successful, and lives potentially being saved.  

“Yet with forgetting, not being in the habit and lacking confidence continuing to be the biggest barriers to breast checking that women report, more must be done to ensure women both know the possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the importance of establishing this vital health check as part of their routine.  

 “Our new ‘Checklist’ campaign, launching this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, aims to tackle this health challenge head on, ensuring women put regular breast checking at the top of their to-do list. Ensuring that everyone is breast aware is integral to our new strategy that sets out how we’ll move further, faster over the next five years to change the game for breast cancer. 

“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 you’re getting dressed, showering or applying moisturiser. It’s important to remember to check the whole breast area, up to your armpits and collarbone (upper chest) for any changes. We say it’s as simple as ‘TLC: Touch, Look, Check’.  

“Many women know that a lump can be a possible symptom of breast cancer, but other signs of the disease to look for also include nipple discharge, dimpling or puckering of the skin of the breast, or changes in size or shape of the breast. Changes in the colour of the breast may also appear differently on various skin tones. Most breast changes, including lumps, won’t be cancer, but it’s important to get any new or unusual changes checked by your GP.” 

Carmen Lorimer (40, from West Lothian, Scotland) was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 38 in 2023 after discovering a lump in her breast. As a mum to two young sons aged 14 and 9, her immediate fear was for them and not herself. She said: 

"I wasn’t in the habit of regularly checking my breasts, but I noticed a lump when I was in the shower one day. Having had bladder cancer when I was 17, I immediately had a horrible feeling about it.   

"The worst part was waiting for my results because before then you have no idea what you’re dealing with. My main fear was that there would be nothing they could do for me. When the consultant told me that it was stage one breast cancer, I was relieved beyond belief. I didn’t care what treatment or surgery was needed, I just needed to hear they could save me. 

"I had a lumpectomy and my lymph nodes removed. I completed radiotherapy and started on tamoxifen, and although I haven’t had it easy with the side effects, I’m all clear a year later and I try to turn my experience into a positive.  

"My diagnosis has made me appreciate my life so much more. When you get a scare that it could all be taken away from you so prematurely it really is an eye opener and shows you how precious life is. I will always be grateful to my medical team for quite literally saving my life and now my boys will have their mum. Finding breast cancer early is crucial, so I want to encourage people to check their breasts regularly and know the signs and symptoms to look out for."

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:  

•    A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit 
•    A change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling 
•    A change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look darker, red or inflamed 
•    A nipple change, for example it has become pulled in (inverted) 
•    Rash or crusting around the nipple 
•    Unusual liquid (discharge) from either nipple 
•    Changes in size or shape of the breast 

On its own, pain in your breasts is not usually a sign of breast cancer. But look out for pain in your breast or armpit that’s there all or almost all the time. 

Although rare, men can get breast cancer. The most common symptom of breast cancer in men is a lump in the chest area. 

To find out more about breast checking and signs and symptoms of breast cancer, visit breastcancernow.org/checking. And if you have any questions, you can speak to our expert nurses on Breast Cancer Now’s free, confidential helpline (0808 800 6000) or email Ask our Nurses. 

ENDS

Notes to editors

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 4356 adults, of which 2283 are females. Fieldwork was undertaken between 2 –4 September 2025.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). 

Asda Tickled Pink proudly funds Breast Cancer Now’s breast awareness projects, including our YouGov Breast Checking Habits surveys. 

[1] Women defined as not ‘regularly’ checking their breasts was made up of women responding that they checked their breasts at least once every 3 months; at least once every 6 months; at least once a year; less than once a year; or never. ‘Regular’ breast checking included those who check their breasts at least once a week; at least once a month; and at least once every 6 weeks. 

41% in 2022; figures from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2069 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 14-15 September 2022. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). 

YouGov survey respondents who report to not regularly check their breasts, 2022 – 2025: 

[2] Routes to diagnosis. National Disease Registration Service. Available at: digital.nhs.uk/ndrs/data/data-outputs/cancer-data-hub/cancer-routes-to-diagnosis (One third of breast cancers in England are detected through breast screening).  

[3] YouGov, 2024. 10% of survey respondents reported to never checking their breasts. Total sample size was 2137 adult females. Fieldwork was undertaken between 10-12 September 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adult females (aged 18+). 

[4] Women who check their breasts (at least once a week, at least once a month, at least once every 6 weeks, at least once every 3 months, at least once every 6 months, at least once a year or less than once a year) and responded not very confident or not at all confident. 

[5] Breast Cancer Now’s ‘Change Happens Now: Our Strategy 2025-30’ will be launched on Friday 26 September 2025