Women 'more interested in cult of celebrity than own health'
14 Oct 2008, 1046 Hrs

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London, Oct 14 A new research has confirmed what many people already knew: women pay more attention to gossip about the rich and famous than their own health.

The study, therefore, suggests that women are more interested in the cult of celebrity and lack awareness about health news.

To reach the conclusion, a Breast Cancer Campaign polled 1,000 women and found that nearly four out of five women could name Coleen McLoughlin as footballer Wayne Rooney's wife.

However, just over half said they checked their breast for lumps once a month or more.

Despite being in one of the age groups most at risk, more than 40 percent of women aged over 65 did not believe they were at risk from breast cancer, the survey showed.

The reality is that 80 percent of the breast cancers are diagnosed in women over 50 years old.

In total, just 55 percent of women checked their breasts at least once a month, 28percent only did it a few times a month and 15 percent said they never did.

"While women are clued up about the latest gossip from celeb-land, it appears they are dismissing serious information that could save lives," BBC quoted Arlene Wilkie, director of research and policy at Breast Cancer Campaign, as saying. (ANI)