Each year, more than two million women in the UK have breast screening, leading to around 1,300 women’s lives being saved as more cancers can be diagnosed and treated earlier than they otherwise would be.

In 2020/21, 120,000 people took part in breast screening in London, with 1,040 cancers being detected through the screening programme, which otherwise may have been diagnosed and treated later.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the NHS in London is encouraging women to take up the offer of breast screening and make an appointment, even if they received their invite weeks or months ago.

Women should look out for their invite letter and follow the instructions to book an appointment at their local screening service.

In addition to local screening services in hospitals, mobile screening vans are available in convenient community locations, such as supermarket car parks for women to easily book and access.

Sanjeet Johal, Breast Screening Recovery Programme Director for the NHS in London said:

“Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK. A woman’s risk of getting breast cancer goes up as they get older, with about four out of five breast cancers found in women over 50 years old.

“If you’re a woman aged between 50 and 71, you will be automatically invited by a letter in the post for breast screening every three years.

“We encourage women not to delay and take up their screening appointments when they are invited, as cancer is easier to treat when caught at an earlier stage.”

The NHS is also asking women of all ages to be aware of their breast health and to know how to check themselves for cancer symptoms. Being ‘breast aware’ means getting to know how your breasts look and feel at different times and telling your doctor straight away if you notice any unusual changes.

It takes only a few minutes to perform and can help detect breast cancers at an earlier stage.

It is important that women continue to look at and check their breasts regularly, even if they have had a recent mammogram. Anyone who has noticed any abnormal changes should contact their GP as soon as possible.

Women are encouraged to use the ‘TLC’ method for checking their breasts and can visit Breast Cancer Now for more info:

• • TOUCH your breasts. Can you feel anything new or unusual?
  • LOOK for changes. Does anything look different?
  • CHECK any new or unusual changes with your GP.

Dr Saliha Mahmood Ahmed, London NHS doctor and food author, is heading a campaign which puts her culinary skills to good use in the fight against breast cancer in the UK – by using bread dough to demonstrate to different communities how to check their breasts for new or unusual changes.

Dr Saliha Mahmood Ahmed said:

“The Bread Exam’ visually demonstrates how women should check their breasts for new or unusual changes. I hope it provides some reassurance and shows the simplicity of self-checking, plus all the movements performed as part of my “healthiest recipe” are designed to detect any changes in breast tissue.

“I really hope it helps women feel comfortable in doing these important checks and encourage them to seek help from their GP as soon as possible if they notice anything unusual.”

Find your local NHS breast screening service here or for more information about the NHS Breast Screening Programme, please visit.

Background: 

For more information contact london.commsteam@nhs.net