- McGrath report shows only 15% of women fully understand breast health
- 73% believed they understood the risk factors for breast cancer
- But four in 10 did not realise growing older increases the risk
- ‘This is concerning,’ said the McGrath Foundation CEO Petra Buchanan
- She said it meant women were armed with ‘incorrect information’
- The foundation released a list of the six risk factors to raise awareness
Katherine Davison For Daily Mail Australia
27
View
comments
Only 15 per cent of Australian women fully understand breast health.
That was the damning verdict from the results of the first ever annual McGrath Breast Health Index, which aimed to measure the level of what the organisation has termed ‘breastpertise’ among women.
‘Breastpertise’ refers to four areas of understanding when it comes to breast health: Awareness, confidence in recognising changes in the breast, knowledge of risk factors, and behaviour in terms of how often women check their breasts.
Published on Tuesday, in a report called Getting A Grip, the results revealed that only 15 per cent of women in Australia met all four criteria.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
‘Concerning’: Petra Buchanan, CEO of the McGrath Foundation, said the findings of the report were concerning but it provided clear direction for future education
Whilst 73 per cent of women believed themselves to be ‘somewhat or very breast aware’, three in 10 did not recognise that being a woman was a risk factor for breast cancer.
Four in 10 did not realise that growing older also increases your risk of the disease.
‘This is concerning because it means that potentially there is a substantial number of women who believe they are breast aware, are confident in their ability to recognise changes, are checking their breasts for changes frequently – but are armed with incorrect information about what actually causes breast cancer,’ said Petra Buchanan, CEO of the McGrath Foundation.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Women unaware: The report revealed that only 15 per cent of Australian women understand breast health
She said the results were both alarming and hopeful, because the research provides clear direction for future education.
‘Improving breast awareness among young people, particularly women, is a key part of the McGrath Foundation’s vision – we like to say ‘if you grow them, know them!’ she went on.
According to the report only one in 10 women successfully identified the risk factors for breast cancer.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Increased risk: Breast cancer predominantly affects women, with 15,934 women expected to be diagnosed in 2016 alone
WHAT ARE RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER?
According to the McGrath Foundation, the six risk factors for breast cancer are:
Being a woman
Growing older
Being a smoker
Drinking alcohol
Strong family history
Starting menstruation earlier or menopause later
The report also showed that whilewomen believe mothers are best-placed to raise the importance of awareness, only a quarter of women had a conversation with their own mother about it.
While the research was conducted among women only, the McGrath Foundation provides education aimed at young women and men in Australia.
Breast cancer predominantly affects women, with 15,934 women expected to be diagnosed in 2016 alone, approximately 150 men in Australia are also diagnosed each year.
For more information visit the organisation’s website here
Share or comment on this article
Most watched News videos
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
CCTV shows the brutal 90mph impact of devastating Smiler crash
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Man gets pulled over on busy street for alleged illegal U-turn
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Oklahoma police deputy saves man from pit bull attack
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Dr Mosley describes 800 calories per day diet for weight loss
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Moment dashcam scares motorist from starting a violent clash
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Hillary calls Trump racist during the presidential debate
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Driver misjudges overtake resulting in road sign crash
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Police officer argues with pro-Kurd protester in London
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
80′s pop star Marilyn said Janet Street Porter was ‘vile’
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.The lady in red: Kate stuns in dazzling £1,000 Preen dress…
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Ready for the safari! Kate pairs a £400 Holland Holland…
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Art scion, 46, weds billionaire’s daughter, 23, in $5m…
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Sam Allardyce ‘set to be sacked’ as he’s summoned to crisis…
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.How happy is YOUR town? Interactive map shows the happiest…
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.A knock on the door… and six years of lies crumbled in an…
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Boy, 11, is one of Britain’s youngest rapists after being…
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Clinton brands Trump a racist AND a sexist: Donald complains…
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.‘Thank you for being my friend’: Celebrities from Joanna…
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.‘No amount will ever compensate the victims’: Survivors of…
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Deutsche Bank shares finally climb after falling to a…
-
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Moment Oklahoma deputy saved man from two raging pit bulls…
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Comments (27)
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Who is this week’s top commenter?
Find out now
Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3809196/New-report-reveals-15-cent-women-understand-breast-health.html