TAUNTON residents are being urged to learn about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer as part of breast cancer awareness week.

The Macmillan mobile service is stopping off in Taunton on Friday, October 23 where a team of information and support specialists will be on board to offer free, confidential, advice and support to anyone with a concern or a question relating to any aspect of cancer and its treatment.

The mobile service will be at Castle Green in Taunton from 10am - 4pm to answer any questions and help signpost people to local services who may be able to help.

The charity says that every year, around 41,826 people across England hear the devastating news they have breast cancer. But it’s not just an old age disease, earlier this year new data also highlighted that around 66,500 women are living with breast cancer who were diagnosed before the age of 45.

Mary Mountford-Lister, a Macmillan Information and Support Specialist on the unit, said: “This new data shows that we all need to be vigilant when it comes to breast cancer.

The good news is that around 84% of women are living beyond five years after treatment thanks to improvements in early diagnosis and treatment. However, each of these people will require support to deal with the long term effects of breast cancer and its treatment, and to take back control.

“As with all types of cancer, the earlier it is detected and the sooner it is treated the better the outcome is likely to be so it’s as important as ever that people know the signs and symptoms to look out for. Despite survival rate being generally high, over 11,700 women are still dying from breast cancer in the UK every year. Men should also be aware of what to watch out for – whilst very rare in males, they still account for 1% of those diagnosed.”

Some of the symptoms which can be indicators of breast cancer include;

• a lump in the breast

• a change in the size or shape of the breast

• dimpling of the skin or thickening in the breast tissue

• a nipple that’s turned in (inverted)

• a rash (like eczema) on the nipple

• discharge from the nipple

• swelling or a lump in the armpit.

If you have any of these symptoms, get them checked by your GP. Although in many instances they will not be cancer, it’s important to get checked out as early as possible, because early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.