Breast Cancer Awareness Month: October 2025.

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness month, which is dedicated to raising awareness of this specific cancer that has a diagnosis rate of around 55,000 per year in the UK alone. In 2025 the focus of the awareness is “Every story is unique, every story matters”.

The aim of this year’s awareness month is to highlight that every diagnosis is personal and behind every diagnosis is an individual story that touches the life of not only the person diagnosed, but their friends, family and support network too.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in women in the UK, but although rare, it also affects men, who account for around 1% of diagnoses. In many cases, early intervention can lend itself to a positive prognosis, with statistics showing a 99% five-year survival rate in localised breast cancers.

Importantly yearly awareness presents the opportunity for us to educate ourselves on the importance of annual screenings, signs and symptoms and being aware of changes in our bodies.

Signs and symptoms

Your breast is compromised of the tissue in the area from your rib cage to your armpit and collar bone. It’s important that you understand how your breasts usually look and feel in order to be aware of any changes. Clinicians advocate that we should check on a regular basis in order to notice any changes.

The most common symptom is a lump in the breast tissue however, there are a range of potential symptoms or changes which should be considered by a GP if found, including:

• A change in the appearance of your nipple, including discharge of fluid
• Thickened tissue
• A change in shape and/or size of one or both breasts
• Lump or swelling in your armpits
• A change in the look or texture of your skin including (but not limited to) dimpling, puckering or redness
• Crusting, scaly or itchy skin, a rash or redness on the breast or nipple

Early detection and diagnosis is vital; there are many resources online and in GP practices, as well as in hospitals to help with self-surveillance. Ultimately, if in any doubt make a face to face appointment with your GP. Self-surveillance, awareness and early screening can save your life.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis is usually made following referral to a breast clinic from a GP or breast screening programmes. Diagnostic testing is usually by way of mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. If cancerous cells are found the further testing can be undertaken by way of blood test, chest x ray or MRI scans.

The results of the tests enable clinicians to identify the staging and grading of the breast cancer based upon the size, position and location of the cancer. Staging and grading help the clinicians plan the best treatment.

Treatment options depend on sizing and grading of the cancer and can include lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy and radiotherapy.

There are many support groups and support lines available to support people through diagnosis, treatment and follow up whether they are diagnosed directly or affected through someone else’s diagnosis.

Clinical negligence and breast cancer  

Sadly, there are occasions when breast cancer can be missed, misdiagnosed or there are delays in diagnosis which can result in harm to patients because of inappropriate treatment or no treatment. In these cases, we will look at the care given when symptoms arise and determine whether it was appropriate and timely.

Expert evidence is critical in determining the nature and extent of any cancer and in these types of cases, timing is everything.

Whilst it is appreciated that no amount of compensation can undo what has happened to you and your family if there has been negligence, a compensation award can contribute to funding the additional resources or treatment you may now require in order to enjoy a reasonable quality of life.

More information on clinical negligence cases concerning breast cancer diagnosis can be found on our dedicated blog, here https://www.lblaw.co.uk/medical-negligence/cancer-negligence/breast-cancer-claims/

Here at Lanyon Bowdler our specialist clinical negligence team have the knowledge and experience to support you through your compensation claim, ensuring you get the best possible outcome. If you wish to consider bringing a claim or for a free consultation please do get in touch via our website, https://www.lblaw.co.uk/medical-negligence/ or by telephone on: 0800 652 3371.