WOMEN are being assured it is safe to attend breast screening services in South Cumbria.

The risk increases with age, which is why all people between the ages of 50 to 70 who have breasts, due to either naturally occurring oestrogen or oestrogen hormone therapy are invited for screening every three years.

Breast cancer can affect anyone with breasts, so some trans or non-binary people are also eligible for screening talk to your GP or Gender Identity Clinic about this.

Breast screening aims to find breast cancers early. In the meantime, if youre worried about breast cancer symptoms such as a lump or an area of thickened tissue in the breast, or you notice that your breasts look or feel different, do not wait to be offered a screening appointment, talk to your GP.

Georgia Argent, programme lead at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust said: Breast screening involves having an X-ray (mammogram) at a special clinic or mobile breast screening unit. You will have the chance to talk about any problems or concerns you have. As you will need to undress to the waist, it may be easier to wear trousers or a skirt rather than a dress.

Usually two X-rays of each breast are taken one from above and one from the side. A plastic plate will be gently but firmly pressed onto your breast so that they can get clear pictures. The X-ray test can spot cancers when theyre too small to see or feel.

The mammogram will be checked for any abnormalities, and the results will be sent to you and your GP within two weeks.

Dr Neil Smith, primary care director and Cancer Research UK GP for Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance said: Breast cancer can affect you at any age, so its important to be Breast Aware and check your breasts for lumps or a change in size or shape at least once a month. If you notice anything unusual, please dont wait contact your GP straight away.

In most cases it wont be cancer, but its best to get checked over because early diagnosis saves lives.

Read more:
'It's safe to attend breast screening' - NW Evening Mail

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