Routine breast screening can detect cancer at an early stage, often before it can be seen or felt. The earlier breast cancer is found, the more likely treatment is to be successful.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with around one in seven women expected to develop the disease during their lifetime. While anyone can be affected, finding breast cancer early gives the best chance of successful treatment.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: "Breast screening uptake in Wolverhampton is currently below the national average, and we want to highlight the importance of raising awareness of the screening programme and encourage eligible women to attend when invited.
"Checking your breasts only takes a few moments and can help you become familiar with what is normal for you. Most breast changes will not be cancer, but it is important to get any new or unusual changes checked as soon as possible as early detection is the best form of defence against cancer.”
The charity Breast Cancer Now encourages people to remember TLC:
Women aged 50 to 70 who are registered with a GP are automatically invited for breast screening every three years.
If you are eligible for breast screening, you will receive an invitation through the NHS. Attending your appointment could help detect breast cancer early, or before symptoms develop, and treatment is more likely to be successful. If you receive your invitation to breast screening, it is important you attend even if you feel well and have no symptoms.
If you think you may have missed your appointment, or are aged 71 and would like to continue to have a screening appointment every 3 years, please contact the Dudley, Wolverhampton and South West Staffordshire Breast Screening Service on 01384 244177. More details here.
July marks Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Month, a chance to reflect, raise awareness, and take action to address the inequalities that still exist in cancer care.
Breast Cancer Now has released the findings of new research which shows encouraging signs that more Black and South Asian women are checking their breasts regularly. However, the charity's polling also found that 43% of women do not check their breasts regularly, while 15% have never checked their breasts for signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
To learn more about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and how to check your breasts, visit Breast Cancer Now.
For information in alternative languages, visit Breast Cancer Now or Healthwave.
