Around 5,000 women in the Bingley area will be invited for breast screening in a new, advanced mobile unit over the next few months and health professionals are urging those called to take up their appointments.

Breast screening appointments generally take no more than 30 minutes and can help save lives.

A newly purchased mobile unit from the Pennine Breast Screening Service, which uses the latest technology arrived at Canalside Health Care Centre Bingley recently and will remain in place until November.

“We invite all women aged between 50 to 70 for breast screening every three years,” said Janette Griggs, breast imaging service co-ordinator.

“This new site for breast screening in Bingley coincides with the first time that we have used one of our new digital screening units. Although the mammogram is carried out in the same way as before, the processing of the xray images will be much more effective and efficient, improving the service we can offer to women.”

The breast screening programme estimates that screening can save around 1,400 lives every year as it can show changes in the breast up to two years before symptoms appear.

“If changes to the breast are found early the outcome for women can be a lot better,” added Janette.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst women.

“Eighty per cent of breast cancer cases occur in women aged over 50-years-old and the risk of breast cancer increases as we get older,” said Lynn Clark, health promotion specialist.

“Women aged over 70 can still get free breast screening every three years but they need to contact us if they want to make an appointment.”

Women of all ages are advised to regularly check their breasts and be breast aware. Being breast aware simply means knowing what your breasts look and feel like normally and reporting any unusual changes to your doctor.

Changes to look for include:

• Unusual changes in the shape, size or feel of your breasts
• A lump or thickening in the breast or armpit area
• Unusual puckering or dimpling of the skin
• Changes in the position of the nipple or a nipple discharge
• Any unusual pain in the breast or armpit.

For further information on breast screening and breast awareness go to www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/breastscreen/

For information about appointments contact the Pennine Breast Screening Service on 01274 365521 /22 /23.