Advice is to be safe

Breast screening offer

Women in Hamilton and Blantyre are being encouraged to take up their breast screening appointment.

Mobile breast screening units will be in the car parks of two supermarkets over the coming weeks.

Morrisons in Hamilton will host one from this Friday, January 27, to the end of April.

Asda Blantyre already has a screening unit in place, and it will be there until the start of April.

Invitations to attend a screening appointment will be sent to women aged between 50 and 70, who are registered with a GP and are due their threeyear scan.

During the last round of breast screening in 2013 around 10,000 women in Hamilton and Blantyre attended their appointment.

Dr Tasmin Sommerfield, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, said: “I would urge all women who receive their invitation letter to make sure they take up their screening appointment.

“The letter will come through your door with a date, time and venue. If it doesn’t suit you, just call the phone number on the letter to change the appointment – no problem.

“Many women are worried about having the screening test because they think it will be sore. It’s important to stress that whilst some women do experience discomfort, it’s only for a very short period, less than a minute.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and around 4800 women are diagnosed every year in Scotland.

“Breast screening is one of the most effective ways of detecting cancer before you notice any symptoms. That’s because screening can pick up tiny potential problems that you can’t see or feel. The earlier breast cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. Around 130 women’s lives are saved every year in Scotland as a result of breast screening.”

Women aged over 70 are not invited for an appointment but are welcome to call the screening centre on 0141 800 8800 to make an appointment. Women under 50 should also ensure they are “breast aware” to help them spot breast changes early.

Dr Sommerfield added: “Being breast aware is about getting to know your own body.”