WOMEN are being urged to get a grip on their breast health after a new study revealed a lack of knowledge.
The McGrath Foundation's Breast Health Index found only 15 per cent of women met all the four components of proactive breast health, or "breastpertise".
These components are awareness, confidence in recognising changes, risk factors knowledge and behaviours such as regular checks.
The foundation's chief executive Petra Buchanan said the results were alarming.
"Women who consider themselves breast aware are more likely to identify non-risk factors than those who don't consider themselves breast aware," Ms Buchanan said.
"This is concerning because it means that potentially there is a substantial number of women who believe they are breast aware, are checking their ability to recognise changes, are checking their breasts for changes frequently, but are armed with incorrect information about what actually causes breast cancer."
She said the research showed breast health knowledge was much more than simply being aware.
"We need to redefine breast awareness so that people also take into account the three other factors."
The research showed of the four criteria comprising breastpertise:
- 73 per cent considered themselves to be very or somewhat breast aware
- 62 per cent were very or somewhat confident they would be able to detect a change in their breasts
- 52 per cent checked their breasts at least once a month for changes
- 39 per cent were knowledgeable about risk factors for developing breast cancer, including identifying incorrect risk factors as such.
Only one in 10 successfully identified the risk factors for breast cancer:
- Being a woman
- Growing older
- Having a family history of breast cancer
- Being a smoker
- Drinking alcohol
- Starting menstruation earlier or menopause later
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Women are encouraged to use this month to schedule a mammogram.
Mammograms are free through BreastScreen NSW and all women aged 50-74 should have one every two years.
