Two-thirds of women are not conducting regular self-examinations for breast cancer due to forgetfulness or lack of awareness about the signs to look out for. Shockingly, 13% of women do not check their breasts at all, with only 20% recognizing the symptoms.
It is recommended that women inspect their breasts monthly for any changes in shape, appearance, or the presence of lumps, as these could indicate breast cancer. However, a study of 2,000 women revealed that only 36% of those who do so actually follow this monthly routine.
A survey conducted by Estée Lauder Companies’ UK & Ireland as part of its Breast Cancer Campaign, in collaboration with Dr. Zoe Williams, aims to promote regular breast self-checks through an easy-to-follow instructional video.
According to Dr. Zoe Williams, familiarizing oneself with the normal appearance and feel of one’s breasts is crucial. Establishing a monthly self-check routine, akin to brushing teeth, is essential for early detection.
Addressing the lack of confidence in self-checking is vital for many individuals and requires increased education to empower women and men to feel more confident about monitoring their breast and chest health.
A quarter of women who have never checked their breasts have not received proper guidance on how to do so. Surprisingly, despite concerns about breast cancer symptoms, two-thirds of women have not sought advice from healthcare professionals.
Notably, women in the 18-29 age group feel most comfortable discussing breast health concerns with family or loved ones compared to other age groups.
One-third of women believe that clear, easy-to-follow demonstrations on self-checks would motivate them to perform checks more frequently. Additionally, 40% of women advocate for mandatory education on self-checking in schools and universities.
A recent study by a cosmetics company revealed that women under 40, black women, and South Asian women had some of the lowest rates of self-checking in 2022. However, there has been an improvement in self-checking habits in these communities in 2025.
In 2022, less than 70% of women under 40 were checking every two months or less, but this has now decreased to 65%. The percentage of black women not checking as frequently has also reduced from 76% in 2022 to 56%.
Pernilla Nyberg, the general manager and senior vice president of Estée Lauder Companies UK & I, expressed optimism about the progress made in breast cancer awareness and prevention. However, she emphasized the need to empower all women to confidently conduct regular breast self-checks.
The Breast Cancer Campaign, along with UK regional campaign ambassadors, continues to strive towards ensuring that everyone is knowledgeable about breast cancer signs and symptoms, promoting self-advocacy for breast health. Collaboration with ambassadors to raise awareness and drive action across the UK remains a priority.
