NEW research reveals that 61 per cent of women in Mid-Scotland and Fife are putting themselves at risk of developing breast cancer.

The study was carried out by leading breast cancer charity Breast Cancer Now and YouGov, which found that only 29 per cent of women in Mid-Scotland and Fife check their breasts regularly (once a month) for signs or symptoms.

The number one reason that women gave for not having their breasts checked was due to forgetting, with 45 per cent of Mid-Scotland and Fife women admitting to this.

The figures come as Breast Cancer Now launches a new Breast Check Now app to help women schedule and plan when to have their breasts checked and get into the potentially lifesaving habit.

Mary Allison, Breast Cancer Now’s Director for Scotland, said: “This year, around 4,600 women in Scotland will receive a diagnosis of breast cancer and almost 1,000 will lose their lives to the disease. Checking your breasts regularly could save your life.  The earlier you find breast cancer the greater the likelihood of a better outcome.

“The message is out there, but when half of the women in Scotland still aren’t checking themselves regularly, we know we need to do even more. 

“The biggest challenge is that many women still have not developed a habit of regular checking. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month we want to remind women in Scotland that checking matters and we want to give them the right tools to make this easier.

“By downloading the free Breast Check Now app you don’t have to worry about remembering as it will help you create a habit of regular checking that fits with your life.”  

The app is available for free on Apple and Android devices and aims to encourage women to set up a checking plan to fit their lifestyle and to provide information on what signs and symptoms to look for.