Mammograms are routinely offered every three years to women aged 50 to 70. If you live in the Doncaster area you will be invited to the Cameo Centre at Chequer Road Clinic and if you live in Bassetlaw you will offered an appointment at the Diana, Princess of Wales Unit at Bassetlaw Hospital.
It’s important for anyone worried about any suspicious symptoms of breast cancer, regardless of age or gender, to arrange a check-up with their local GP. Signs and symptoms could include, but not limited to, discharge from either of your nipples, a lump or swelling in either of your armpits, dimpling on the skin of your breasts, a rash on or around your nipple, a change in the appearance of your nipple. Knowing what is normal for you will help you notice any changes in your breasts.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK, attributing to 15% of new cases. To put this fact into perspective, 1 in 8 women living in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Sheena McDonnell, Non-Executive Director at DBTH, attended her routine breast screening appointment which sadly led to a breast cancer diagnosis. Thankfully, the disease was caught in the early stages and Sheena is now all-clear.
Speaking on her experience Sheena, said: “It is crucial for all women to attend their screening appointment. My diagnosis came as a complete shock as I had no signs or symptoms. If you’re anxious or embarrassed about attending the screening, then please have confidence that the procedure is painless, discreet and only takes around 20 minutes. The chance of the disease being treated is greater if caught in the early stages, so acting sooner rather than later could essentially save your life.”
Chris Bosworth, Breast Screening Programme Manager at the Trust, said: “Breast Screening is important for early breast cancer detection, enabling early diagnosis and improving the chances of successful treatment and recovery. Mammograms are able to pick up breast cancer at an early stage, before a person can feel any symptoms. Please prioritise your health and attend your appointment.”
If you have received your screening invite but cannot make the appointment or you think you have missed an appointment, you can call the team on, Tel: 01302 644966 (Cameo Centre, Doncaster) or 01909 572192 (Princess Diana Mammography Unit, Bassetlaw).