WOMEN with a family history of breast cancer could be offered life-saving mammograms from the age of 40, a heath chief suggests.
The x-rays could also be offered to younger women with dense breasts.
Getty – ContributorMore women could be offered life-saving mammograms[/caption]
Prof Sir Mike Richards, the Government’s former cancer czar, said expanding targeting health checks could catch more cases earlier.
At present, the NHS offers mammograms every three years between the ages of 50 and 70.
And younger women who carry the “Jolie gene” are also offered regular tests.
Actress Angelina Jolie had both breasts surgically removed after she discovered she carried a faulty copy of the BRCA1 gene – which significantly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Women who carry the BRCA2 gene, which also increases your risk of breast cancer, are also offered tests.
Sir Mike, who chairs the UK national screening committee, said it was considering rolling out the programme so more people are eligible for screenings.
While targeted screening is only offered to a “tiny” number of women at greatest risk, there were “far more” who might benefit from earlier checks, he told The Telegraph.
He said: “There are far more women in between standard risk and very high risk.
“Women who’ve got a family history but it’s not the BRCA1 or 2 are probably the largest group.
“Also we know women with very dense breasts on mammography are both at higher risk of cancer but they are also more difficult for mammography to pick up because of the density.”
Every year, around 11,500 women and 85 men die from breast cancer in the UK – that’s nearly 1,000 deaths each month.
Breast cancer screenings save up to 1,300 lives each year in the UK.
Screenings can also catch the disease before other symptoms show.
And as with all cancers, the earlier it’s caught the better the prognosis.
The signs of breast cancer you must know
ACCORDING to Breast Cancer Now, the signs 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 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
You should see a doctor if you notice any change to the breast.
Even though it probably is not cancer, catching it early will improve the odds of survival.
Secondary breast cancer is when cancer cells spread from the breast to other parts of the body. At this point, it is no longer curable.
The signs of this are:
Feeling sick most of the time
Severe or ongoing headaches
A dry cough or feeling of breathlessness
Any lumps or swellings under the arm, breastbone or collarbone
Discomfort or swelling under the ribs or across the upper abdomen
Loss of balance of any weakness or numbness of the limbs
Pain in the bones which may worsen at night
Feeling more tired than usual
Altered vision or speech
Unexpected weight loss, loss of appetite