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Drop-ins aim to demystify breast cancer screening

Pamela TickellNorth East and Cumbria
News imageUniversity Hospital Tees Helen Clyde is standing side-on and smiling at the camera. She has short, blonde hair and is wearing a red and white uniform, with a yellow name tag. The hospital corridor walls behind her are white and and have posters with medical information on them.University Hospital Tees
Helen Clyde said staff would answer questions about breast cancer screening

Drop-in sessions are being put on to help demystify breast cancer screening appointments.

University Hospitals Tees has invited women to tour the breast screening unit at One Life Medical Centre in Middlesbrough from 09:30 to 12:00 BST, and then at the University Hospital of Hartlepool from 13:00 to 16:00.

Clinical coordinator Paula Wood said people had "anxieties" around scans, including how comfortable they were and how a person's dignity would be maintained.

She said staff would be on hand to answer any questions, adding: "It's really, really important that ladies come for breast screening and detect cancer early."

Wood said the trust had a "very good uptake" of women accepting routine breast screening invites, "but we'd like it to be more".

Senior radiographer Helen Clyde added: "Unfortunately we do get a number of missed appointments.

"That's why we offer these open days, so women are relaxed and familiar with the process."

News imageGoogle The four-storey building has an exterior made of a mix of materials including grey metal, white stone and red brick. The door is made of large glass panels. A silver sign on the right of it reads: "One Life."Google
The morning drop-in is at the One Life Medical Centre in Middlesbrough

Clyde said screening aimed to detect breast cancer at an early stage, often before any symptoms were noticeable.

She said finding it early gave the "best possible chance of successful treatment and can significantly improve outcomes".

The trust said women should immediately contact their GP if they noticed any of the following changes, even if they recently had a mammogram:

  • A new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit
  • A change in the size, shape or feel of the breast
  • Skin changes such as puckering, dimpling or redness
  • Any changes to the nipple (such as inversion, discharge, or rash)
  • Persistent discomfort or pain in one breast that is unusual for them

No mammograms would take place at the drop-in sessions, the trust said.

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