Recognising the Signs of Breast Cancer and the Importance of Early Diagnosis
Finding a lump or noticing an unexpected change in your breast can be frightening. For many people, what follows is an anxious period of appointments, tests and waiting for answers. In those circumstances, receiving a clear diagnosis as quickly as possible can make an enormous difference, both to the treatment available and to a person’s peace of mind.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held every October, provides an important opportunity to encourage people to know what is normal for their body, recognise possible symptoms, and seek medical advice when something changes.
Why an Early Diagnosis Can Make Such a Difference
Finding breast cancer at an early stage can make treatment more effective and significantly improve a person’s survival rates. Regular screening and prompt investigation of symptoms play a vital role in achieving the best possible outcomes.
The difference in survival between early and later-stage breast cancer highlights the importance of timing. According to Cancer Research UK, in England, almost 100% of women diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer survive their cancer for five years or more. This compares with around 75% at stage 3 and more than 30% at stage 4.
The stage at which cancer is diagnosed can also affect the treatment a person requires. Depending on the individual circumstances, a later diagnosis may mean facing more extensive surgery or additional treatment, as well as the emotional impact of learning that the cancer has progressed.
This is why, if you notice a change in your breasts, it is important not to ignore it and to seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Knowing What Is Normal for You
Being familiar with what is normal for your body can help you spot changes early. Symptoms may include:
- A lump or swelling in the breast, chest, or armpit
- Changes in the size or shape of a breast
- Dimpling or changes to the skin
- Changes to the nipple, including inversion
- Unusual nipple discharge
- Persistent breast or armpit pain
Most breast changes are not cancer, but it is important to seek medical advice if you notice anything unusual. You do not need to decide for yourself whether a change is serious, raising your concerns with a healthcare professional allows them to be assessed appropriately.
Who Can Develop Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow uncontrollably and form a tumour. While it is most commonly diagnosed in women, men can also develop breast cancer and approximately 420 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year.
Although the exact cause is not always known, factors such as age, family history, genetics, and lifestyle can increase the risk.
Screening, Awareness and Reducing Risk
It is not always possible to prevent breast cancer, however, there are steps people can take to support their breast health and help improve the chances of cancer being detected early such as:
- Attending routine screening appointments when invited
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Staying physically active
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Being aware of any changes in your breasts
When Opportunities to Diagnose Breast Cancer Are Missed
For someone who has sought medical advice because they are concerned about a change in their breast, being told later that their cancer could potentially have been identified sooner can be extremely difficult.
Diagnosing breast cancer is not always straightforward, and receiving a later diagnosis does not automatically mean that medical care has been negligent. However, healthcare professionals are expected to assess reported symptoms appropriately and arrange further investigations or referrals where these are clinically necessary.
Concerns about the standard of care may arise where, for example:
- A breast lump or other concerning symptom is not appropriately investigated.
- A patient who should have been urgently referred for further investigation is not referred promptly.
- Mammograms, ultrasounds, scans or biopsy results are incorrectly interpreted or not appropriately acted upon.
- Abnormal screening results are not followed up.
- Test results or appointments are not communicated to the patient.
- There are avoidable delays in arranging further investigations, diagnosis or treatment.
Every case needs to be considered on its own facts. However, where there has been an avoidable delay in diagnosing breast cancer, it may be necessary to consider whether the cancer progressed during that time and whether earlier diagnosis would have changed the treatment required or the person’s prognosis.
The Impact of a Delayed Diagnosis Goes Beyond Treatment
A breast cancer diagnosis can affect almost every aspect of someone’s life.
Alongside the physical impact of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other treatments, there may be anxiety about the future, changes to someone’s body and confidence, time away from work and disruption to everyday family life.
Partners, children and other family members may also find themselves providing practical and emotional support while coming to terms with the diagnosis themselves.
Where diagnosis has been delayed, those challenges can be accompanied by difficult questions. Could the cancer have been found sooner? Would the treatment have been different? Could some of what happened have been avoided?
For some people, a delay may mean that their cancer has progressed or that more extensive treatment is required. For others, it may have an impact on their longer-term outcome.
Seeking specialist legal advice can help patients and families understand what happened and whether the care they received met the appropriate standard.
How Bridge McFarland Can Help
If you or a loved one has been affected by a delayed diagnosis of breast cancer, it can be difficult to know whether anything could or should have been done differently.
Our specialist Medical Negligence solicitors can help you understand the care you received and, where appropriate, investigate whether delays in referral, diagnosis or treatment caused avoidable harm.
We will take the time to listen to your experience, explain your options clearly and provide compassionate, practical advice about the next steps.
If you are concerned that a delay in diagnosing or treating breast cancer has caused you or someone you love avoidable harm, contact our Medical Negligence team for a confidential discussion.
Call us on 0800 987 8800 or email enquiries@bmcf.co.uk.
