By Francesca Tuckey

Copyright dailystar

A shocking two-thirds of women aren’t regularly checking their breasts for signs of cancer – simply because they forget or don’t know what to look for. Worryingly, 13 per cent of women admit they never check their breasts at all, and only one in five say they’re aware of the warning signs and symptoms. Experts recommend that women check their breasts at least once a month, looking for any unusual changes in shape, appearance, or lumps – all of which are possible signs of breast cancer. But a new survey of 2,000 women found just 36 per cent actually do this monthly. The research, commissioned by Estée Lauder Companies’ UK & Ireland for its Breast Cancer Campaign, comes as the brand teams up with Dr Zoe Williams to launch an easy-to-follow self-check video, aiming to get more women checking regularly. Dr Zoe Williams said: “Getting to know how your breasts look and feel will help you know what is normal for you. Getting into the habit of regularly self-checking, around once per month, should be part of your routine, just like brushing your teeth. “Confidence in self-checking is a big barrier for many people, and that’s something we need to address through more education, helping women and men feel more confident in being breast, and chest aware.” She added: “Everyone should feel empowered to understand their own body, and that starts with knowing what to look out for and when to seek advice.” The study also revealed a quarter of women who never check their breasts say it’s because they’ve never been taught how. And, shockingly, two-thirds of those worried about symptoms haven’t spoken to a healthcare professional. Young women aged 18-29 are the most comfortable discussing breast health with family or friends, the survey found. Meanwhile, a third of all women say they’d be more likely to check if they had access to clear, easy-to-follow demonstrations. Four in ten believe teaching self-checking in schools and universities should be compulsory. The findings follow a 2022 study by Estée Lauder Companies, which highlighted the lowest self-checking rates among women under 40, as well as black and South Asian women. While these groups still lag behind, the 2025 data shows improvement: the proportion of under-40s checking only every two months or less has dropped to 65 per cent, and among black women, it’s fallen from 76 per cent to 56 per cent. Pernilla Nyberg, general manager and senior vice president of Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland, said: “We’re encouraged by the improvements in awareness and prevention, but there’s still work to do. “Our mission is to ensure everyone knows the signs and feels confident checking their own breasts. We’re proud to continue this vital work across the UK.”