Sponsored Editorial

In the UK, around 55,000 women and 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year with one woman diagnosed every 10 minutes*.

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October so KIMS Hospital is raising awareness of the importance of knowing your breasts, checking for symptoms and having symptoms properly examined by a healthcare specialist as soon as possible.

What are the symptoms to look out for?

Regularly checking your breasts for anything different or new is important. Common breast cancer signs and symptoms include*:

- Painless lumps in the breast
- Changes in the size or shape of a breast
- Dimpling to the skin of the breast
- Thickened breast tissue
- Nipple inversion
- Lump or thickening behind the nipple
- Rash affecting the nipple or skin across the breast
- Discharge from the nipple
- Swelling or a lump in the armpit

KIMS Hospital understands that having any of these symptoms can be concerning, and you want to be seen by an expert and have test results back quickly.

At the hospital’s One Stop Breast Clinic, the team of specialists will be able to walk you through the process, answer any questions and make your experience as stress-free as possible.

You do not require a GP referral to be seen by KIMS Hospital’s specialist team and where possible, you will be seen on the same day. Please call to book an appointment.

Although having these symptoms may be a sign of breast cancer, it does not necessarily mean you have breast cancer. Getting checked as soon as possible will give you the peace of mind you need.

One Stop Breast Clinic

Macmillan Breast Care Nurse Specialist Lauren Carr explains what you can expect from the One Stop Breast Clinic, including who would be suitable to attend, and how she supports patients through their appointment.

For more information about the breast care services click here. To speak to a member of the KIMS Hospital team call 01622 237 727 or make an enquiry by emailing: enquiries@kims.org.uk

References:

* Breast Cancer Facts and Statistics (2022) Breast cancer facts and statistics 2023. Available here (Accessed: 03 October 2023).