Each October, people all over the world show their support for everyone affected by breast cancer. It is a great opportunity to educate yourself and others about the importance of cancer screenings and being breast aware.
Breast cancer doesn’t just affect women, everyone has breast tissue, which means that whatever your gender, you could be affected by breast cancer. Your breast tissue is the area from your rib cage up to your collarbone and armpits.
Signs and symptoms
Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel is an important part of being breast aware and checking them on a regular basis means you can notice any changes.
Whilst many of the symptoms below can also be caused by non-cancerous breast conditions, you should arrange a face-to-face appointment with a GP if you notice any of the following:
- A change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast.
- A new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before.
- A discharge or fluid from either of your nipples.
- A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts.
- A lump or swelling in either of your armpits.
- A change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness.
- A rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple.
CoppaFeel is a breast cancer awareness charity that has a really helpful self-checkout section on their website to guide you through how to check your own body.
Getting a diagnosis as early as possible is really important. When left untreated, early-stage breast cancer can continue to grow and eventually spread to other areas of the body. Being breast aware and receiving proper screening and timely treatment could save your life.
Making a claim
Unfortunately, there are occasions when a diagnosis is missed, delayed or wrongly identified as a different condition. In these types of cases the patient may suffer harm because of the lack of timely intervention or even because of inappropriate treatment. If this can be proved it may be possible to bring a medical negligence claim.
We understand how difficult it can be coming to terms with a diagnosis of cancer. For many years we have provided legal help and support for clients whose condition and prognosis has been affected by a delay in diagnosis. We have also represented the families of people who have passed away because of failures in care.
If you or a loved one has suffered harm because of diagnosis problems, you may feel angry and let down by medical professionals and worried about the future. By making a claim, we can assist you secure compensation, which will ease the financial burden, but also help you understand what happened
You can contact the Ison Harrison medical negligence team for compassionate and confidential legal advice, either by phone on 0113 284 5000 or email via clinneg@isonharrison.co.uk.
