WOMEN BEING URGED TO GET SCREENED

WOMEN in Coventry are being urged to take advantage of a potentially life-saving breast cancer screening programme.

NHS Coventry is encouraging female residents who are eligible for screening to get checked out by the Warwickshire, Solihull and Coventry Breast Screening Service.

A survey by NHS Coventry revealed that around 30 per cent of women who were invited to be screened between 2004 and 2007 failed to go along for their appointment.

The breast screening service, based at University Hospital, in Walsgrave, is one of six national pilot sites to extend the age range of women who can be screened for breast cancer.

The service, which used to screen women aged 50 to 70, now covers women aged between 47 and 73.

Dr Caron Grainger, joint director of public health, said: “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females in the UK, which is why we encourage all women to attend for breast screening when invited.

“Screening is vital as it can detect cancers at a very early stage when treatment is most likely to be effective.

“Our research shows that out of the 33,113 Coventry women who were invited to attend for breast cancer screening between 2004 and 2007, only 23,484 attended.

“This means a significant number of our female residents are potentially putting themselves at risk by not getting checked.

“Breast screening can save lives and we urge everyone who is invited to attend to go along to their appointment.”

Anita Stanton, superintendent radiographer at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, said: “Breast screening saves lives and the women in Coventry were already some of the first in the country to benefit from digital mammography equipment when that was introduced at University Hospital in 2006.

“We would urge any women invited for a scan to come along - it is quick, easy and could save your life.”