As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the NHS in the Midlands is encouraging women to attend their breast screening appointments at easy and convenient locations to help identify potential cancers early.

Women aged between 50 and 71 are invited for breast screening (mammogram) every three years. Around 400,000 eligible women in the Midlands are invited for breast screening each year. Early detection improves the success of treatment and saves lives.

“Over the last 12 months, more than 280,0000 women attended a breast screening appointment in the Midlands. Across the region we are working hard to raise awareness of the benefits of screening and make it easier for women to take part” Andrew Dalton, Public Health Consultant, said. “Breast screening only takes a few minutes to perform. It helps to catch cancers early, before they can be seen or felt. This can lessen the impact of any treatment that is needed and improves chances of survival.”

In the Midlands, more than 2,600 breast cancers (2022/23) were detected through screening which may not have been diagnosed and treated until a later stage. Although most of the women invited for breast screening attended their appointment, 30% of women did not take up the offer.

Appointments are available at hospital sites and mobile screening vans across the region. Mobile vans set up in locations such as supermarkets make it easier and more convenient for women to attend. Other initiatives include reaching women through social media, sending accessible information and offering appointments at accessible locations.

Screening van sites are located based on local insight and can be moved to support local communities and where there is a need. These local campaigns are supported by pharmacists and opticians talking to and sharing details of nearby screening sites with customers. Women who miss their screening invite are also followed up with a reminder call.

Stoke-on-Trent Aldi hosts breast screening service  

The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has joined forces with the Aldi to improve access to free cancer screening for women in the Stoke-on-Trent area.

The team at UHNM have worked extremely hard to set up a breast screening unit at Aldi, Goodwin Way in Stoke-on-Trent. This is the first of its kind for the supermarket. Screening at the supermarket will play a role in helping UHNM reach their target of screening more than 11,500 women for breast cancer in the next two years.

Michelle Ellitts, superintendent radiographer and programme manager at UHNM, said. “One in seven women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, and early detection is vital. Those diagnosed early through breast cancer screening have a more than 95% chance of surviving, so it’s extremely important that we can take our breast cancer screening unit out into our local communities.”

Wolverhampton creates accessible information letter

A pilot is underway in Wolverhampton, using pictures in the screening letter to improve uptake in women with learning disabilities and those whose first language is not English.

Nottinghamshire tailors invites to women’s needs

In Nottinghamshire, patient data is being used to tailor screening invites, for example those with a physical disability are being invited to an accessible location. Language preference and needs are being with easy read invites also being sent in the first contact.

Social media – a two way conversation

North Midlands Breast Screening Service are using social media to create a two-way conversation with the public. Their Facebook page allows women to ask questions and liaise with professionals.

“My mammogram detected my cancer before it could be felt’

Kathryn Cowley was diagnosed with breast cancer after going to Chesterfield Royal Hospital for a routine mammogram in July 2022. After the mammogram detected an abnormality, she underwent further investigations which showed she had breast cancer.

Kathryn, now 58, said: “I was shocked but the consultant went through each step and put me at ease, he explained the type of breast cancer, including the size of the tumour and the treatment options.”

She underwent surgery in October 2022, followed by radiotherapy that December.

“My breast cancer journey has a positive outcome and it’s very lucky that I attended my regular breast screening. I have had now had my one year follow-up mammogram and I was very relieved that this was normal.

“Attending routine screening is vital – I was fortunate that I attended my appointment and did not put it off.

“My mammogram detected my cancer before it could be felt, which was a game changer.”

Being breast aware

In addition to screening, the NHS England is 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 being aware of how your breasts look and feel at different times, and crucially telling your doctor straight away if you notice any unusual changes. It takes only a few minutes to do and can help spot breast cancers at an earlier stage.

Women who have had a recent mammogram should continue to look at and check their breasts regularly.

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

• 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.

Further information

The NHS Breast Screening Programme is offered to women aged 50 to their 71st birthday. Eligible women receive a letter explaining the programme and the benefits and risks of breast screening. Women do not always receive an invitation when they turn 50 but can expect an invitation within three years of their 50th birthday. A woman is eligible if she has not had a double mastectomy.

More information on NHS breast screening checks is available at www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-screening-mammogram.