The Harley Street Breast Clinic
Routine and rapid breast screening with same-day diagnosis, advice and treatments for all breast problems.
3rd Floor, 148 Harley Street, London, W1G 7LG
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Breast Cancer Cases in UK Under-50's Top 10,000 a Year
Professor Ian Fentiman from The Harley Street Breast Clinic, responds to the BBC News article "Breast Cancer Cases in UK Under 50's top 10,000 a Year" (BBC, 2013);
Tuesday 7th May 2013
Every week there emerges another story about breast cancer: a disease that provokes disproportionate fear in many women. The incidence of the disease is rising, partly because people are living longer (the greatest risk factor for malignancy) but also because of other, only partially understood, reasons such as late age at childbirth and alcohol consumption. It is for these reasons that the UK annual incidence of breast cancer in women under 50 has now reached 10,000.
This should not be a cause for alarm. Most women aged under 50 with a breast lump do not have cancer. Nevertheless, any lump that persists for one month does require assessment and this can be carried out at one-stop clinics that are readily accessible. Most patients can be rapidly reassured and for the few with breast cancer, the outlook is improving year on year as a result of advances in treatment.
Ian S Fentiman MD DSc FRCS
Professor of Surgical Oncology
Visit the BBC website to read the full story: