Most women fail to recognize signs of breast cancer, a third are confused by screening guidelines
A new survey reveals less than half of adults recognize common breast cancer symptoms. Further, most women don’t fear getting the disease.
The poll commissioned by the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center shows the vast majority of patients (93%) do recognize a lump on the breast as a symptom of breast cancer. However, for other symptoms that number falls dramatically,
Less than a third (31%) of respondents said a “retracted, inverted or downward-pointing nipple” was a sign of breast cancer, and only 39% recognized “breast puckering” as a symptom. Other common indicators such as loss of feeling in the breasts and “pitting/thickening” also failed to register as serious medical concerns for more than half of those surveyed. Additionally, just slightly over half (51%) were able to identify “nipple discharge” as a symptom worthy of getting checked out.
The American Cancer Society says 13% of women will get breast cancer at some point in their lives, and regular screening remains the best way to improve outcomes. However, despite public health campaigns and education promoting the importance of regular mammograms, the results of this questionnaire show a third of women are confused by screening recommendations. For women under the age of 30, that number rises to 44%.
The survey respondents in this case were 1,004 U.S. adults who answered questions both on the phone and online, and most of them indicated they are not worried about getting breast cancer. Three-quarters (75%) of women surveyed do not believe they will get the disease, and 91% of men said the same.
The full survey results can be found here.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.