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| Breast cancer 'more often advanced' in black women | Breast cancer 'more often advanced' in black women |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Black women in England are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with advanced breast cancer as white women, according to a new analysis by Cancer Research UK and Public Health England. | Black women in England are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with advanced breast cancer as white women, according to a new analysis by Cancer Research UK and Public Health England. |
| Late-stage disease is found in about 25% of black African and 22% of black Caribbean breast cancer patients. | Late-stage disease is found in about 25% of black African and 22% of black Caribbean breast cancer patients. |
| In white breast cancer patients, the figure is 13%. | In white breast cancer patients, the figure is 13%. |
| Experts say there are many reasons for this. Vital ones to change are low awareness of symptoms and screening. | Experts say there are many reasons for this. Vital ones to change are low awareness of symptoms and screening. |
| According to Cancer Research UK, black women are less likely than white women to go for a mammogram when invited by the NHS. | According to Cancer Research UK, black women are less likely than white women to go for a mammogram when invited by the NHS. |
| Spotting cancer early is important because the sooner it can be treated, the better the outcome. | Spotting cancer early is important because the sooner it can be treated, the better the outcome. |
| A support group in Leeds helps women of black African and Caribbean descent who have either had breast cancer themselves or have loved ones who have. | A support group in Leeds helps women of black African and Caribbean descent who have either had breast cancer themselves or have loved ones who have. |
| One woman there told the BBC: "A lot of us black people bury our head in the sand. 'Oh, me, well, I don't need to go, there's nothing wrong with me.'" | One woman there told the BBC: "A lot of us black people bury our head in the sand. 'Oh, me, well, I don't need to go, there's nothing wrong with me.'" |
| Another said: "I find a lot of people, they'll find out something is wrong but they keep it to themselves and they're praying. They're praying that God will heal them." | Another said: "I find a lot of people, they'll find out something is wrong but they keep it to themselves and they're praying. They're praying that God will heal them." |
| Heather Nelson, who works for BME Cancer Voice, said: "Women, especially women of colour, are less likely to go for screening. | Heather Nelson, who works for BME Cancer Voice, said: "Women, especially women of colour, are less likely to go for screening. |
| "You'll get leaflets through your door and they will be predominantly of white, middle-class women. There's no representation of South Asian, African descent et cetera. | "You'll get leaflets through your door and they will be predominantly of white, middle-class women. There's no representation of South Asian, African descent et cetera. |
| "If you get information like that, you're going to look and think, 'That's not about me.'" | "If you get information like that, you're going to look and think, 'That's not about me.'" |
| Most breast cancers are still diagnosed at an early stage, across all ethnic groups, the data for 2012-13 shows. | Most breast cancers are still diagnosed at an early stage, across all ethnic groups, the data for 2012-13 shows. |
| Dr Julie Sharp, of Cancer Research UK, said: "If you notice something that isn't normal for you, or you've a symptom that's not gone away or has got worse, getting it checked out promptly could save your life." | Dr Julie Sharp, of Cancer Research UK, said: "If you notice something that isn't normal for you, or you've a symptom that's not gone away or has got worse, getting it checked out promptly could save your life." |
| Lumps are not the only sign of possible breast cancer. | Lumps are not the only sign of possible breast cancer. |
| Women should also get checked if they notice any changes to their breasts such as nipple discharge or changes to the skin. | Women should also get checked if they notice any changes to their breasts such as nipple discharge or changes to the skin. |
| Breast screening (mammogram) is offered to all women in England aged 50-70. | Breast screening (mammogram) is offered to all women in England aged 50-70. |
| The NHS is in the process of extending the programme as a trial, offering screening to some women aged 47-73. | The NHS is in the process of extending the programme as a trial, offering screening to some women aged 47-73. |
| Women over the age of 70 will stop receiving screening invitations but can arrange an appointment by contacting their local screening unit. | Women over the age of 70 will stop receiving screening invitations but can arrange an appointment by contacting their local screening unit. |
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