October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
Women across Gateshead, Sunderland, South Tyneside, Durham and Chester-le-Street – Have you recently received a breast screening invitation?
Did you know that –
- breast screening is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early, before any signs or symptoms appear?
- breast screening saves 1300 lives every year
- a mammogram only takes 10 mins?
- all our mammographers are female?
Please, don’t ignore your appointment, it could save your life
Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with 1 in every 7 women in the UK being diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. If breast cancer is detected early, treatment is more likely to be successful and the chances of survival are higher.
One of the best ways to detect breast cancer early is to regularly attend breast screening. A mammogram is able to detect changes before any signs or symptoms appear that you may notice yourself. This is why it’s important to attend breast screening even if you feel fit and healthy.
Life is hectic! Work, family, social life, it’s easy to forget things or put them off because you’re busy. Take some time to look after yourself
All women aged between 50-71 years are invited to attend free NHS breast screening every three years. This is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early before signs and symptoms appear.
However, almost 40% of women invited, do not attend their appointment. That’s almost 4 in 10 eligible women not being screened for breast cancer.
Last month over 550 women across Gateshead, Sunderland, South Tyneside, Durham and Chester-le-Street did not attend their breast screening appointment and attendance is particularly low for those women aged 50-53 who are invited for the first time. Whatever the reason you missed your appointment, whether it was illness, you were on holiday, you forgot or you simply didn’t feel ready to attend at that moment, you can contact the Gateshead breast screening service to book another appointment.
Breast Screening is fast, free and it could save your life. Please don’t ignore your invitation.
Are you worried, anxious, embarrassed or maybe you just have a few questions? Please don’t let this put you off attending your appointment, early detection saves lives. We have a friendly team waiting to help, so please, contact us before your appointment and we will try and help wherever we can. We’re here for you.
If you would like to book or change an existing appointment, please contact the Gateshead Breast Screening Service on 0191 445 2554 or for more information visit the QE Gateshead Website:
