When Carly and I started Burleys back in 2009, our reason was personal. My family had navigated the care system, and I’d seen how much difference it makes when someone is truly paying attention – not just completing tasks, but genuinely noticing how a person is doing. That’s still what drives everything we do at Burleys, seventeen years on.

This week is Breast Cancer Prevention Week – and I’ve been thinking about how it connects to that mission. Because awareness campaigns like this one don’t really live in hospitals or clinics. They live in homes. In the morning visits our carers make. In the conversations over a cup of tea. In the quiet moments where someone says, “actually, I’ve noticed something.”

That’s why I wanted to write this. Not as a medical authority – I’m not a clinician – but as someone who understands what it means to spend your days in other people’s homes, caring about what happens to them. Our team at Burleys are there every single day. And I want to make sure we’re all carers, families, and clients – as aware as we can be.

Why breast cancer awareness matters – right now

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. According to NHS and Breast Cancer UK data, 1 in 7 women will receive a diagnosis in their lifetime. The vast majority of those – around 4 in 5 – are women aged over 50. Which means this is, in large part, a conversation about the people our team supports every single day.

This year, Breast Cancer UK’s Prevention Week focuses on endocrine disrupting chemicals – EDCs – hidden in everyday household products that may affect hormone levels and potentially increase breast cancer risk. It’s a growing area of research, and worth knowing about. But there’s another layer to prevention that’s been around for far longer: knowing your body well enough to notice when something changes.

How to check – the NHS 3-step guide

The NHS recommends checking your breasts or chest around once a month. You don’t need special equipment, a clinical setting, or any medical training. You just need a few minutes and a willingness to get to know what feels normal for you – so that if something changes, you notice.

What to look for

According to NHS guidance, the symptoms to watch for when checking your breasts or chest include:

A note for our carers — and for families

This is something I feel strongly about. A lot of awareness content is written as if everyone is independently capable of performing a self-check. But many of the people our team supports with personal care find this difficult – through limited mobility, cognitive changes, or simply never having been shown how.

Our carers are not clinicians. But they are the people who are there. And being there – really being present – means noticing.

NHS screening – please don’t miss your invitation

If you are a woman aged between 50 and 71, you are entitled to free NHS breast screening — a mammogram — every three years. When your invitation letter arrives, please attend. According to Breast Cancer Now, routine screening saves approximately 1,300 lives from breast cancer every year in the UK.

If you are outside this age range and have concerns — or if you have a family history of breast cancer — please speak to your GP. You may be eligible for earlier or more frequent screening.

And if you or someone you love needs support getting to a screening appointment – whether that’s help with transport, or someone to sit with them on the day — please get in touch with us. Our home care services are flexible, and we’re always happy to help with the things that matter.

HOW BURLEYS SUPPORTS HEALTH AWARENESS AND PERSONAL WELLBEING AT HOME

Your questions answered

How often should I check, and when is the best time?

The NHS recommends checking around once a month. There is no single best time – though if you have periods, you may find it easier to check a few days after your period ends, when your breasts are less likely to feel tender. The most important thing is to check regularly enough to learn what is normal for you so you notice any changes

If I find a lump, does that mean it’s cancer?

No – and please don’t panic. The NHS is clear that lumps and other symptoms are very common and can have many other causes. But please do see your GP promptly. Don’t wait and see, and don’t avoid it out of anxiety. If it is cancer, early detection is what makes the biggest difference to outcomes.

I’ve been through the menopause – does this still apply to me?

Absolutely yes. Around 4 in 5 breast cancers in the UK are found in women aged over 50. NHS breast screening runs from 50 to 71 for exactly this reason. Monthly self-checks remain as important after the menopause as before. Your breasts may feel different after menopause – which is exactly why getting to know what feels normal for you is so valuable.

Can men really get breast cancer?

Yes – the NHS explicitly states that anyone can get breast cancer. Breast cancer in men is rare, but it is real. Men should check their chest regularly for the same symptoms listed for women. Because awareness is low, men are often diagnosed at a later stage. If you are a man and notice any change in your chest or nipple area, please see your GP. Don’t wait.

I support someone with dementia who can’t do a self-check – what should I do?

For clients with dementia or significant cognitive impairment, the responsibility shifts to the people around them. During personal care, carers and family members can be observant for visible changes and for signs that the person is experiencing discomfort. Any concern should be raised with the GP or care team promptly. Don’t wait for a formal review — act on what you notice.

What if I’m worried but too nervous to see the GP?

I understand that anxiety can make it feel easier to not know. But please go. The NHS is clear that most symptoms turn out to have benign causes — and if something does need attention, knowing sooner always means better options. If you’d like support attending your appointment, or if a loved one needs someone to accompany them, please get in touch with us — we’re here to help.