Women aged 30 will get breast cancer checks in trial led by doctor who treated late Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding
WOMEN aged 30 will get breast cancer checks in a trial led by the doctor who treated Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding.
An NHS study set up in the singer’s name has been expanded after tests shed more light on the risk posed to younger women.
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It showed that nearly one in five in their 30s — 19 per cent — face an increased threat.
Those taking part will be offered a mammogram scan or DNA analysis of a saliva sample.
It is hoped the research could pave the way for the NHS breast cancer screening age to be reduced from 50 to 30.
Dr Sacha Howell treated Sarah, who died in 2021 aged 39.
He said breast cancer killed more British women aged from 35 to 50 than anything else.
Dr Howell added: “We want to try to identify women at increased risk so we can start screening early. I’d like all women over 30 to have an assessment.”
Charity Breast Cancer Now said: “The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of successful treatment.”
Remaining Girls Aloud members Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts said: “This study in Sarah’s name has the potential to be life-saving.
“Sarah was an amazing woman. We couldn’t be more proud of the legacy she’s left.”
It is important to regularly check your breasts for any changes. Breast tissue reaches all the way up to your collarbone and across to your armpit, so it’s vital to check these areas too.
If you feel or see any changes in your breast you should always consult your GP.
Charity CoppaFeel! recommends checking your breasts monthly, so you can pick up on any changes quickly.
Breasts do change naturally as part of your monthly menstrual cycle, so you should get to know your breasts, how they feel and what changes they usually go through to know if anything is out of the ordinary.
Five-step check
There is a five-step self exam you can do at home to check for any changes.
Step one: Begin by looking in a mirror, facing it with your arms on your hips and your shoulders straight. You should be looking for any dimpling, puckering, bulging skin, redness, soreness, a rash or changes in the nipple.
Step two: Still looking in the mirror, raise both arms above your head and check for the same changes.
Step three: With your arms still above your head, check for any fluid coming from the nipples. This can include milky, yellow or watery fluid, or blood.
Step four: While lying down use your opposite hand to check each breast. Using a few fingers, keeping them flat and together, go in a small circular motion around your breasts. Make sure you feel the entire breast by going top to bottom in these small circles. It helps to develop a system or pattern to make sure every inch is covered. Use light pressure for the skin and tissue just beneath, medium pressure for the tissue in the middle of your breasts, and firm pressure to feel the tissue at the back, feeling down to your ribcage.
Step five: Feel your breasts while either standing or sitting, using the same small circular motions.
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