Deidre Brock MP has marked World Cancer Day today by calling on all eligible women to participate in the Scottish Breast Cancer Screening Programme and go for a routine mammogram. All women in Scotland aged 50-70 are invited for a check every 3 years, while women over 70 are encouraged to self-refer to their local centre.
Deidre spoke of her own experience of a screening and urged all women over 50 to take the opportunity to get checked.
Deidre said:- “Breast cancer affects more women in Scotland than any other form of cancer – so I was worried to read there was a slight downturn in the number of women going for a routine NHS Breast screening.
“I had a mammogram recently at the screening centre for south east Scotland, Ardmillan House. I was really impressed by the set-up there; the staff were incredibly nice, and made the process as simple and stress-free as possible. The whole thing was finished in less than half an hour.
“I was obviously relieved when I received the all-clear letter but I wanted to share my experience so people realise it’s not a scary process. While the majority of women who are screened will receive positive news, for those who don’t it’s better to be diagnosed as early as possible.
“According to Breast Cancer Now, for every 200 women screened, one fewer woman dies of breast cancer. It’s tragic to think that any woman’s life could be lost for the sake of a routine screening.
“I urge everyone over 50 to take up the chance to get checked.”
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