Towns think pink to support breast cancer awareness
THE Lightcube in Skelmersdale and Ormskirk Clock Tower have been lit up pink throughout October as West Lancashire Borough Council supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Breast cancer is the UK’s most common cancer.
According to the charity Breast Cancer Now, about 55,000 women and 370 men are diagnosed with the disease every year.
Locally Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust’s breast screening unit works covering South Lancashire, including the borough of West Lancashire.
The team are scheduled to be at Ormskirk Hospital until May 2020.
Women aged 50 to 70 who are registered with a GP are eligible for screening and invitations are sent out automatically.
Janet Ellison, patient navigator for the South Lancashire Breast Screening Unit, said: “It’s essential that we encourage eligible women to attend their screening appointment as early detection can save lives.
“I would like to thank the council for supporting Breast Cancer
Awareness Month.”
John Caine, West Lancashire GP and chair at NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It’s vitally important everyone knows the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
“I’d urge women and men to get to know how their breasts look and feel, and if they spot anything unusual to get them checked out by their GP.”
Cllr Ian Moran, leader of West Lancashire Borough Council, said: “The health of West Lancashire people is a key priority for the council and we are delighted to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month by lighting two of our borough’s structures in pink.”