Ethnic Minority Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Check your breasts. It could save your life.

Ethnic Minority Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Check your breasts. It could save your life.

This July, we are recognising Ethnic Minority Breast Cancer Awareness Month by raising awareness of breast cancer within Black and South Asian communities and encouraging more people to know the signs and symptoms, check their breasts regularly, and attend breast screening when invited.

While breast cancer can affect anyone, research shows there are still inequalities in breast cancer awareness, diagnosis and screening. That's why conversations like these are so important.

Encouragingly, new research from Breast Cancer Now shows that more Black and South Asian women are checking their breasts than ever before. The latest data also shows the lowest recorded levels of women who have never checked their breasts since tracking began. However, there is still more to do, with 43% of women not checking their breasts regularly and 15% saying they have never checked for the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

The research also highlights differences in breast screening attendance. In April 2026, 84% of Black women aged 50 and over reported attending their breast screening appointment when invited, compared with 69% of South Asian women aged 50 and over. Encouragingly, 85% of both Black and South Asian women said they would attend screening when invited, demonstrating a strong willingness to take part in this life-saving programme.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK, with 1 in 7 women expected to develop it during their lifetime. When breast cancer is found early, treatment is much more likely to be successful, making it vital to know what is normal for your body.

Checking your breasts is simple. Remember TLC:

• Touch your breasts or chest.
• Look for any new or unusual changes.
• Check anything that doesn't feel right with your GP.

Most breast changes won't be cancer, but getting any new or unusual changes checked promptly gives you the best chance of early diagnosis if treatment is needed.

This Ethnic Minority Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let's continue breaking down barriers, encouraging open conversations, and ensuring everyone has the information and confidence they need to put their health first.

To learn more about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and how to check your breasts, visit breastcancernow.org/TLC.