Issued by: Department of Health and Social Care

Partnership to help women spot symptoms of breast cancer earlier

• Women to receive better support through their breast cancer journey with a new partnership to help them recognise possible signs of the disease earlier and access trusted post-treatment information and support

• Action comes as new research from the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, Breast Cancer Now, reveals almost a third of women who check their breasts regularly don’t feel confident about the signs of breast cancer to look out for

• Partnership forms the first of those announced in the Renewed Women’s Health Strategy, to provide improved care for issues disproportionately affecting women

Women across the country will be better supported to spot the signs of breast cancer and know where to turn for help as the government today (5 October 2026) announces its first partnership to help deliver its Renewed Women’s Health Strategy.

Marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Department of Health and Social Care will partner with the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, Breast Cancer Now, over the next three years, giving women practical information to build confidence in checking their breasts, recognising changes, and seeking advice sooner – particularly in underserved areas.

It comes as new research from Breast Cancer Now reveals almost a third (29%) of women in England who regularly check their breasts do not feel confident to notice a change, whilst just over one in ten (11%) of those checking less than once a month say it’s because they don’t know what to look out for.

One in five (20%) UK adults also say they are not confident they would know where to find trusted information about breast cancer if they had concerns.

Women will also be provided with better support after their treatment, including clear information to understand the possible signs of breast cancer returning or spreading and how to live a healthy lifestyle post breast cancer treatment.

Healthcare professionals will receive additional training, alongside a practical toolkit for healthcare teams, so they can provide the best possible advice to women adapting post-treatment.

Minister for Women’s Health and Maternity, Baroness Merron, said:

"Breast cancer survival rates have improved enormously thanks to advances in our understanding of, and ability to treat, this disease, but it is still the case that early diagnosis is vital for each individual’s chances of survival.

"That’s why we need to ensure every woman feels confident checking their breasts, recognising the possible signs of the disease, and getting any new or unusual breast changes checked by a GP. The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of successful treatment, and the more lives we will save.

"As part of our Renewed Women’s Health Strategy, we’re joining forces with Breast Cancer Now to get trusted information directly to the women who need this support. That is exactly what the Strategy set out to do – listening to women, meeting them where they are and helping them live healthier lives."

One in seven women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime and around 11,500 women still die from the disease each year. Caught early, at stage 1, almost 100% of people survive for at least 5 years. But when it’s caught late, at stage 4, that drops to 32%, making it cause for deep concern that so many women lack confidence in spotting breast cancer signs and symptoms.

Rachael Fran, Deputy Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now, said:

"We’re hugely proud to be the first partner of the Renewed Women’s Health Strategy, working with the Department of Health and Social Care to deliver our shared ambition of supporting women to live healthy, fulfilling lives. Breast awareness and ensuring women know where to turn for support are crucial to achieving this.

"By joining forces we’re driving progress faster and saving lives. We know early detection is vital, with almost 100% of people diagnosed at stage 1 surviving for five years or more, compared with just 32% at stage 4, when breast cancer has spread and become incurable.

"Together, we’ll tackle the challenges in front of us and ensure all women are confident in checking their breasts and recognising changes, know where to turn to and get answers, throughout treatment and beyond, equipped with the vital information and support they need at every stage.

"Better serving women means meeting them where they are, listening to what they need, and ensuring every woman gets the information and support to spot breast cancer sooner. From the first check to treatment and beyond, we’ll be there."

The partnership is the first to be announced as part of the government’s Renewed Women’s Health Strategy, which puts women’s voices at the heart of improving healthcare and sets out action to help women live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

The Department of Health and Social Care will partner with Breast Cancer Now to deliver three outcomes:

• Women can easily access trusted breast health information.

• Women make regular breast checking a habit, recognise the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and know to go straight to a GP if they notice any unusual changes.

• Women are supported when finishing primary breast cancer treatment, with crucial information about spotting any signs of breast cancer returning.

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