Every ten minutessomeone in the UK is told they have breast cancer. It’s a staggering number and a reminder of why awareness, early detection and protection are so important.
The good news? More people than ever are surviving breast cancer. Survival rates have more than doubled in the last 50 years. That’s thanks to better research, improved treatments and more people spotting changes early.
But a diagnosis still changes everything. It doesn’t just affect your health. It impacts your family, your work and your finances too.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month we want to talk about both sides of protection – the importance of knowing your body and the value of having the right cover in place if life throws a curveball.
Knowing your body
There’s no special technique for checking your breasts or chest. What matters is that you know what’s normal for you.
And it’s not just something women need to think about. Men can develop breast cancer too. Around 400 menare diagnosed with it every year in the UK, and many don’t realise it’s possible until they experience symptoms.
Everyone, regardless of gender, should get into the habit of checking their breasts or chest regularly. Here’s what to look out for:
- A lump or swelling in your breast, chest or underarm
- Changes in size, shape or texture
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Changes to your nipple, such as it turning in, looking sore or unusual discharge
- Redness or inflammation that doesn’t go away
Most of the time these changes won’t mean cancer. But it’s always best to get them checked. The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of successful treatment or peace of mind, if everything’s okay.
If you’re not sure how or when to check, the NHS has a really useful step-by-step guide on their website.
A few facts to keep in mind
To understand why early detection and regular checks are so important, it helps to look at the bigger picture. Here are a few key facts about breast cancer in the UK today:
- Around 55,000 women and 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK
- 1 in 7 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime
- Almost 9 in 10 now survive for five years or more after diagnosis
Around 1,300 lives are saved each year thanks to breast screening
When a diagnosis changes everything
Being told you have breast cancer is life changing. There’s treatment to think about, recovery and the emotional toll it can take on you and your family.
But there’s another part we don’t always talk about, the financial strain. Time off work, hospital visits, extra childcare and travel costs can all add up. That’s where critical illness cover can make a huge difference.
If you’re diagnosed with a serious illness like breastcancer, this policy can pay out a tax-free lump sum. That money could help you cover your bills, pay your mortgage or simply give you some financial breathing room to focus on getting better, instead of worrying about money.
Don’t forget about life insurance too
Whilst critical illness insurance is an important financial product that can pay out if you receive a diagnosis of breast cancer, life insurance still deserves a place in the conversation.
A traditional life insurance policy can provide longer term security for your loved ones, giving them financial stability if the worst were to happen.
Having the right policy in place can’t prevent illness but it can stop financial stress from making a difficult time even worse.
Awareness saves lives but protection saves livelihoods
October is a reminder to do two simple things – take a few minutes to check yourself and make sure you have got the right protection in place.
None of us can predict what life has planned but we can prepare for it. That preparation can start with life insurance.
