ONE in three women do not check their breasts regularly for signs of cancer, according to a poll.

The survey of more than 1,100 women for the charity Breast Cancer Care also found many women were unaware of signs of breast cancer other than lumps.

As many as 96per cent knew a lump should always be checked but only 39per cent did not know to look out for redness or a rash on the breast or nipple.

And 28per cent did not know that a nipple becoming inverted can be a symptom while 23per cent were unaware that nipple discharge can be a warning sign.

Samia al Qadhi, chief executive of Breast Cancer Care, said: "This poll shows that many women are still worried about how to check their breasts and don't know what other symptoms to be aware of.

"There's no correct way to check - whatever your age, it's about looking at and feeling your breasts in a way that's comfortable and convenient for you."

The poll also found one-fifth of women who did not check their breasts because they were unsure of how to do it properly.

In 2011, more than 50,000 women in the UK were diagnosed with breast cancer and about 11,000 died of the disease.