Dorset young people call for better breast cancer education

News - 23 October 2026

Our new report, co-produced with youth volunteers from Bournemouth School for Girls, has found significant gaps in young people's understanding of breast cancer, highlighting a need for better education and awareness in schools.

The findings come from a breast cancer awareness project led by young volunteers in Year 12, who designed and delivered an educational quiz completed by 200 young people. The project, supported by Healthwatch Dorset, aimed to explore how much young people know about breast cancer, identify misunderstandings and understand where they find information and support.

The report found several misconceptions about breast cancer. Half of respondents believed people aged 35–50 were most likely to develop the disease, despite the highest risk being among people aged 50 and over.

Knowledge of symptoms and risk factors was also limited. More than a third (35%) could not identify a correct symptom, while 38% were unaware of lifestyle-related risk factors. Some common myths also persisted, with 17% believing that sleeping in a bra increases the risk of breast cancer and a small minority thought that men could not develop breast cancer.

The findings also highlight gaps in breast cancer education in schools. Nearly 60% of students below Year 12 said they had never received breast cancer awareness education. Among male respondents, 65% said they had not received any information through school.

Young people identified schools, healthcare providers and social media as important sources of information. Almost a quarter (24%) had learned about breast cancer through social media, particularly TikTok, highlighting the opportunity to use digital platforms to share accurate and trusted information.

The report makes three recommendations:

Improving NHS digital content for young people.
Introducing consistent breast cancer education in secondary schools for all genders.
Increasing the availability of breast cancer awareness materials in public and healthcare settings.

Louise Bate, Manager at Healthwatch Dorset, said: "This co-produced project demonstrates the value of giving young people the opportunity to explore the issues that matter most to them. The volunteers identified a clear gap in breast cancer awareness and have produced valuable evidence showing where understanding could be improved.

"While breast cancer is more common in older adults, awareness of the signs, symptoms and risk factors is important from a young age. By providing accurate information through schools, healthcare services and trusted online platforms, we can help young people feel more informed, confident and empowered when it comes to their health."

Jane Winter PhD, MSc, RN, Director of Nursing & AHPs at Wessex Cancer Alliance, said: "It's important for us to have insight about how younger people understand the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. It's even better that they are working together to create greater awareness of this for themselves. We would like to help and support this work to make sure they get the best outcomes from their engagement."