Record number of Black and South Asian UK women are checking their breasts, but not frequently enough

New YouGov figures released by the UK’s leading breast cancer charity, reveal that almost half (43%) of Black and South Asian UK adult women check their breasts regularly - defined as checking at least weekly, monthly or once every six weeks. [1] This is a 9% increase in women checking regularly since 2024.  

However, alongside these encouraging findings, the same percentage (43%) of women said they are not checking their breasts regularly. And alarmingly, 15% of women have never checked their breasts for signs and symptoms of breast cancer. 

Breast Cancer Now warns anyone can get breast cancer and that 1 in 7 women in the UK will develop it in their lifetime.

Around two-thirds of breast cancers are found by breast checking and when it's found early, treatment is much more likely to be successful. So, the charity is reminding all women to get into the habit of checking their breasts regularly as it could save your life. 

Black and South Asian UK women who don’t regularly check their breasts (less often than once every 6 weeks) cited barriers to doing this including: forgetting to check (41%), not being in the habit of checking (37%), not knowing what to look for (15%), not feeling confident checking (14%) and not knowing how to check (13%).

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

“It’s really encouraging that almost half (43%) of Black and South Asian women are checking their breasts - this is a record high and so important as checking your breasts could save your life.

“However, our survey also reveals gaps in women’s confidence and knowledge around checking for signs and symptoms of breast cancer. We know that checking your breasts can feel daunting. But it doesn’t have to be.  It’s as simple as Breast Cancer Now’s TLC message:  ​Touch your breasts or chest. ​Look for changes. ​Check anything new or unusual with a GP. 

“And if you notice anything that doesn’t seem right, no matter how small, get it checked out by a GP. 

“Two thirds of breast cancers are found by breast checking, so learn the signs and symptoms of breast cancer today and get into the habit of checking your breasts regularly. There’s no right time to check. And building it into your self-care routine could help to ensure you check regularly – you could do it in the shower or bath, when getting dressed or in bed before you go to sleep.​”

Abigail Chirwa, 42, is a care worker from Dover. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2023 and is telling her story to help demystify breast cancer in her community.

“One of the African myths l heard about breast cancer, is that having a diagnosis at the age of 39 is a death sentence or a punishment because it’s a disease that affects older women above 60.

"I did not die l am here, telling my story as a Black woman who went through breast cancer. Early diagnosis saves lives and a big part of that is being aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, so you feel confident to know when things are different. That’s why I am telling my story, for my community and people around me.

“Breast cancer took so much from me; time, strength, and parts of myself, but it also gave me a new perspective on life. I now understand that waking up each day is a true blessing."

Anjali Unalkat, 50, from Harrow, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 after finding a lump on her right breast, and has since undergone surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and is currently taking hormone therapy.

“I think we need to talk a lot more openly about cancer, especially breast cancer. It's just so prevalent in this country and it's a taboo subject in many communities, including mine. I'm sharing my story, so people know the importance of checking. 

“I found my lump through checking myself and getting it checked by the GP - and I think everyone needs to know that that's such an easy habit you can do that can save your life.  

“I’m motivated to do a lot of myth-busting and awareness-raising, and also to take it further and say, 'hey everyone, it's your responsibility. It's your body.' The NHS is doing so much. But what are we doing for our own bodies? We must take on some of that responsibility ourselves.”

The charity is sharing one urgent message: check your breasts. It could save your life.

Learn the signs and symptoms of breast cancer now at breastcancernow.org/checking