The different stages of breast cancer and the five key early symptoms to look out for

People are advised to examine breasts about once a month and look for early signs of breast cancer.

Dr Cliona Kirwan, consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon: “Initially, breast cancer starts as pre-cancer, as cancerous cells trapped in the milk ducts, and that’s called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which you can only really see and find on a mammogram,” says Kirwan.

Singer and songwriter Jessie J revealed to her fans on social media that she has been diagnosed with “early breast cancer” and plans to undergo surgery.

In a video posted on Instagram, the 37-year-old singer, real name Jessica Cornish, said: “Before No Secrets [the most recent single] came out I was diagnosed with early breast cancer…cancer sucks in any form but I’m holding onto the word early.