Latest news with #ChristieHospital
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Test ALL women for breast cancer from age 30 - one in five are 'at higher risk', warns top expert
Millions of women in England could soon be offered breast cancer checks in their 30s on the NHS. Currently, all women aged between 50 and 70 are invited for screening every three years, with the first invitation between the age of 50 and 53. But every year, more than 10,000 British women who are too young to be offered a check are diagnosed with the disease, with 2,000 deaths among those below the age of 50. Now, a groundbreaking new trial has found almost one in five women tested in their thirties have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Dr Sacha Howell, a consultant at the world-renowned Christie hospital in Manchester who led the study, said all women should now undergo a 'comprehensive risk assessment' from the age of 30. He was also Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding's consultant when she was being treated at the Christie. She was 39 when she died from triple negative breast cancer in 2021, a little over a year after being diagnosed. One of her final wishes was to find new ways of spotting breast cancer early, when it is more treatable. Ms Harding's former bandmates said the findings were 'astounding' and that the singer, who died in 2021, would have been 'thrilled' that her legacy was making such a difference. The study, funded by the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal, began in May 2023 and has recruited 719 women from the Greater Manchester and Cheshire area aged 30 to 39. Women who take part are asked to complete a questionnaire, have a risk assessment mammogram and provide a saliva sample for genetic testing. So far, of the 548 cases analysed, 104 (19 per cent) were identified as higher-than-average risk. All are now being offered tailored health advice, including how to cut their risk of cancer through diet and exercise, with annual mammograms scheduled once they cross risk thresholds. The definition of 'higher risk' means a 3 per cent chance of developing breast cancer in the next 10 years. This is the average risk for a woman aged 50 and over, which is why mammograms are offered routinely then. The trial is also being expanded to other hospitals across the UK as senior NHS officials develop a national cancer plan, which will aim to improve diagnosis and treatment. Dr Howell said: 'About two thirds of women who develop breast cancer don't have a family history of it. 'What we want to do is to try and identify women at increased risk so that we can start screening early and reduce the chances of these women dying. 'I would like all women over 30 to have a breast-cancer risk assessment; that doesn't have to be a mammogram, probably the most powerful part of this is the DNA analysis.' On Saturday, he will chair a panel on prevention, risk reduction and genetics at the world's largest cancer conference, held by the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago. In a statement, Girls Aloud—Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh—also said: 'To hear that women who had no idea they could be at risk of breast cancer are being identified and able to take preventative measures is astounding. 'This study in Sarah's name has the potential to be lifesaving and we are hopeful the results will be rolled out across the UK allowing doctors to predict and prevent breast cancer for many women. 'Sarah was an amazing woman and we couldn't be more proud of the legacy she has left.' One in seven women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime around 56,000 a year—making it the most common cancer in the UK. The figure stands at roughly 300,000 annually in the US. Around 85 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer survive more than five years. Earlier this year, however, a shock NHS survey found women are avoiding mammograms because they are worried about being topless, think it will hurt, or haven't found a lump. The poll of 2,000 women found 16 per cent claimed they would not or were not sure they would attend a breast screening if invited. When asked why, 21 per cent said they would be embarrassed to be topless in front of someone else. Almost one in five also said they would not get a mammogram because they don't have potential breast cancer symptoms, like having found a lump. Figures show that currently a third of women asked for screening do not attend. That rises to almost half of women who are invited for the first time.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Breast-cancer checks could begin as young as 30 to catch disease early
Women could be offered breast-cancer checks from the age of 30 under a new approach being trialled by the NHS. Early findings show almost one in five of those in their 30s have significantly increased risks of breast cancer, the most common cause of death in young women. Every year, more than 10,000 women in the UK who are too young to be offered screening are diagnosed with the disease, with 2,000 deaths among those below the age of 50. The study is being led by a consultant at the world-renowned Christie hospital in Manchester, which treated Sarah Harding, Girls Aloud singer, who died from breast cancer aged 39. Dr Sacha Howell, the lead oncologist on the study, said that in future, all women should undergo 'comprehensive risk assessment' from the age of 30. This would mean DNA tests and health questionnaires as a minimum, with annual mammograms for some and lifestyle advice for all. Currently, NHS breast-cancer screening normally starts at age 50, but around one in three women do not come forward for checks. Ms Harding's former bandmates said the findings were 'astounding' and that the singer, who died in 2021, would have been 'thrilled' that her legacy was making such a difference. The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Young Women (Bcan-Ray) study has tested more than 700 women aged 30 to 39 so far, and aims to recruit 1,000 by the end of June. The research will compare 750 women who have not had breast cancer and have no strong family history of the disease, with 250 women who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer. The research is being expanded to other hospitals as NHS officials work on a national cancer plan, which will have the aim of speeding up diagnosis and treatment. Under the new model, every participant receives a low-dose assessment mammogram, completes a detailed questionnaire, and provides a saliva sample for genetic testing. The team works with scientists from Cambridge University to calculate each woman's personalised breast-cancer risk score. On Saturday, Dr Howell will chair a panel on prevention, risk reduction and genetics at a cancer conference hosted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago. Speaking ahead of the event, the oncologist said: 'Breast cancer is the most common cause of death in women aged 35 to 50 in this country and about two-thirds of women who develop breast cancer don't have a family history of it. 'What we want to do is to try and identify women at increased risk so that we can start screening early and reduce the chances of these women dying.' Dr Howell added: 'I would like all women over 30 to have a breast-cancer risk assessment; that doesn't have to be a mammogram, probably the most powerful part of this is the DNA analysis.' The study is one of the first in the world to identify new ways to predict the risk of younger women getting breast cancer. So far, of the 548 cases analysed, 104 – or 19 per cent – were identified as higher-than-average risk. These are now being offered tailored health advice, including how to cut their risk of cancer through diet and exercise, with annual mammograms scheduled once they cross risk thresholds. The definition of 'higher risk' means a 3 per cent chance of developing breast cancer in the next 10 years. This is the average risk for a woman aged 50 and over, which is why mammograms are offered routinely then. The study is the first of its kind for young women, helping to identify those more at risk to offer breast surveillance to detect cancers earlier, when treatment is more likely to be successful. 'Wanted to leave a legacy' The research is being funded by the Christie Charity's Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal, and contributions from her family and former bandmates. Dr Howell said the singer had spoken to him many times about 'wanting to leave a legacy for future women'. The appeal was initiated by the Christie Charity in collaboration with the singer's family, friends, and her Girls Aloud bandmates: Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle, and Nicola Roberts. They said: 'We are so pleased about the progress of the Bcan-Ray study and know that Sarah would be thrilled. 'To hear that women who had no idea they could be at risk of breast cancer are being identified and able to take preventative measures is astounding. 'This study in Sarah's name has the potential to be life saving and we are hopeful the results will be rolled out across the UK allowing doctors to predict and prevent breast cancer for many women. Sarah was an amazing woman and we couldn't be more proud of the legacy she has left.' Together, the appeal, which is also backed by Ms Harding's family and friends, has raised over £1 million for breast-cancer research. Around 2,300 women aged 39 and under are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year. The programme began in the Christie hospital but is being expanded to other NHS cancer units across the UK, including units in Lancaster, Wirral, Bolton, Tameside, Leighton, Wigan and Macclesfield. Results are expected to be published next year, and fed into the UK national screening committee, after which trials may be rolled out more widely. It will see how far breast density is a risk factor in younger women, who are known to often have more dense breasts, but are rarely screened. Women with dense breasts are four times more likely to develop breast cancer, but tissue can also mask tumours on a mammogram, making disease harder to spot. Separate research will compare different methods, to see whether mammograms are required to check breast density. Breast screening is routinely offered to women aged 50 and over, but millions of women miss out on mammograms, with around one third failing to come forward. Programmes saw a significant dip in uptake during the pandemic, with services closed during the first lockdown. Simon Vincent, director of research, support and influencing at charity Breast Cancer Now, said: 'While breast cancer is less common in younger women, it's a leading cause of death in women aged under 50. 'Around 2,400 women aged 39 or under hear the words 'you have breast cancer' each year in the UK, and this is why ongoing research, like Bcan-Ray, plays a vital role in helping us to further understand breast-cancer risk in younger women and, importantly, whether the introduction of risk-based screening or screening at a younger age could save more lives from the disease.' He said the upcoming national cancer plan for England 'presents a critical opportunity to focus on improving access to risk-reduction treatment and early diagnosis tools, that can ultimately help reduce deaths from breast cancer'. Prof Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: 'We are working closely with the Government on a national cancer plan to ensure the NHS continues to deliver progress in diagnosing more cancers earlier and saving lives, and this research provides valuable information about the potential for more personalised approaches to screening. 'If women are worried about any symptoms, whatever their age, or if they notice a change in their bodies or something that's unusual for them, then I would encourage them to contact their GP.'
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
NHS could start offering breast cancer checks to women in their thirties
Millions of women in their thirties could be offered breast cancer checks on the NHS after a world-first trial identified those with a higher risk of developing the disease. Currently, women are only eligible for breast screening from the age of 50. But about 10,000 women under 50 are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year, including 2,400 in their thirties. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women aged 35 to 50. Now doctors leading a major study named in memory of the singer Sarah Harding say all women should undergo a comprehensive risk assessment when they turn 30. Harding, who was part of the pop group Girls Aloud, died from the disease aged 39 in 2021 and one of her final wishes was to find new ways of spotting breast cancer early, when it is more treatable. The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Young Women (Bcan-Ray) project, run by the Christie hospital in Manchester where Harding was treated, is the first of its kind in the world to identify which younger women are at increased risk of the disease. Early results from the study show that about one in five women aged between 30 and 39 years old have been identified at increased risk. They are being given information on steps they can take to reduce their odds of developing the disease. They will also be offered yearly check-ups until they reach the age when they are eligible for NHS breast cancer screening at the age of 50. In a statement, Girls Aloud – Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh – said Harding would be 'thrilled' by the early results from the Bcan-Ray study. 'To hear that women who had no idea they could be at risk of breast cancer are being identified and able to take preventative measures is astounding. 'This study in Sarah's name has the potential to be lifesaving and we are hopeful the results will be rolled out across the UK allowing doctors to predict and prevent breast cancer for many women. Sarah was an amazing woman and we couldn't be more proud of the legacy she has left.' The study, funded by the Christie Charity's Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal, began in May 2023 and has recruited 719 women from the Greater Manchester and Cheshire area aged 30 to 39. Women who take part are asked to complete a questionnaire, have a risk assessment mammogram and provide a saliva sample for genetic testing. Information from the mammogram and the genetic test are then combined with other factors such as when a woman's periods started, alcohol consumption and use of the contraceptive pill, to provide a personalised breast cancer risk score. To date, researchers have calculated a risk score for 548, with 104 found to be at 'increased risk'. Those at increased risk have consultations to discuss the implication of their increase in risk, including strategies to reduce risk through exercise, diet and medication advice. Early breast screening is offered when the risk hits a certain level, which is at different ages for each woman. The trial is being expanded to other hospitals across the UK as senior NHS officials develop a national cancer plan, which will aim to improve diagnosis and treatment. The study is being led by Dr Sacha Howell, who was Harding's consultant when she was being treated at the Christie. On Saturday, he will chair a panel on prevention, risk reduction and genetics at the world's largest cancer conference, the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting, in Chicago. Speaking before the discussion, Howell said all women should undergo 'comprehensive risk assessment' from the age of 30. This would mean DNA tests and health questionnaires as a minimum, with annual mammograms for some. 'Breast cancer is the most common cause of death in women aged 35 to 50 in this country and about two-thirds of women who develop breast cancer don't have a family history of it.' He added: 'What we want to do is to try and identify women at increased risk so that we can start screening early and reduce the chances of these women dying.' The definition of 'higher risk' means a 3% chance of developing breast cancer in the next 10 years. This is the average risk for a woman aged 50 and over, which is why mammograms are offered routinely then. The Christie project is one of the world's first research programmes to identify breast cancer risks in younger women without a family history of the disease – mirroring Harding's own experience. Howell said the singer had spoken to him many times about 'wanting to leave a legacy for future women'. Final results are expected o be published next year and fed into the UK national screening committee, after which trials may be rolled out more widely to determine whether all women in their thirties should be offered risk screening. 'I would like all women over 30 to have a breast cancer risk assessment,' Howell said. 'That doesn't have to be a mammogram, probably the most powerful part of this is the DNA analysis.' Prof Peter Johnson, the NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: 'We are working closely with government on a national cancer plan to ensure the NHS continues to deliver progress in diagnosing more cancers earlier and saving lives, and this research provides valuable information about the potential for more personalised approaches to screening. 'If women are worried about any symptoms, whatever their age, or if they notice a change in their bodies or something that's unusual for them, then I would encourage them to contact their GP.'
