Jan
23
Please check your breasts and take up screening!
Author: Chloe Smith, Updated: 23 January 2024 09:46
This week, Breast Cancer Now has published a report that breast cancer will cost the UK economy as much as £2.6-£2.8 billion in 2024.
These figures represent costs to the NHS regarding diagnosis and treatment, costs to society regarding productivity loss relating to the patient and their informal carers, and the individual costs that people bear, such as out-of-pocket expenses and the loss of income from work.
But of course it’s not only about a sum of money - the cost is felt in people’s lives and families.
I check my breasts regularly.
It’s lucky I do because three years ago, I found a lump on the right side. I rang the GP and was seen quickly, with plenty of reassurance and helpful advice. A diagnosis followed, opening to full-scale treatment, but early action meant it was all caught in time.
You can find out more about the Breast Cancer Now report here: https://breastcancernow.org/about-us/media/press-releases/breast-cancer-will-cost-uk-economy-26bn-in-2024-rising-to-36bn-by-2034-if-nothing-changes-in-next-decade-demos-research-shows/
Chloe Smith