Doctors at private healthcare group BMI are advising people in Redbridge to “wise up to the facts and become breast aware” this month.

A survey commissioned by the group, to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, found that 77 per cent of people in the borough have had the disease, or know someone who has.

41 per cent of residents believe most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history or a genetic predisposition to the disease, which consultant breast surgeon Faisal Mihaimeed said is not the case.

He said: “Most people who develop breast cancer do not have abnormal genes or any prior family history of the disease.

“That is why breast awareness and these campaigns are so vitally important.”

Each year around 50,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer, which affects both men and women, according to charity Breast Cancer Care.

BMI recommends visiting a GP if you notice symptoms including breast lumps, changes in the size and shape of the breast and dimpling to the skin of the breast.

1,000 Londoners aged 18 and over were interviewed for the survey.