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Cancer message not being heard
by Angela Kelly26/10/2006
THOUSANDS of women across Greater Manchester in vulnerable age
groups are at risk of breast cancer because they have never taken
up screening appointments.
In National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, figures reveal that each
year around 15,000 local women, aged between 50 and 70, routinely
invited for mammograms to detect cancerous tumours early, fail to
be screened. This is slightly below the national average take-up
rate.
Dr Mary Wilson, clinical director of breast screening at The
Nightingale Centre - Greater Manchester's Breast Care Centre -
said: "We invite just under 50,000 women a year and aim to screen
about 35,000."
The reason for this lack of take-up is varied, she added.
"Appointments may be inconvenient and women fail to get round to
re-booking. Some people have anxieties about screening and there
are others who just don't want to come."
"But," added Dr Wilson, "it is always up to individuals to decide
for themselves."
She said that screening was an effective way of discovering very
early cancers, and treating them. "We have got better in diagnosing
cancer," she said. "And there is more cancer out there to
find."
"Not everyone will benefit from screening," said Dr Wilson. But
screening had cut breast cancer mortality rates, she said - which
is also borne out by figures from the Institute of Cancer
Research.
A spokeswoman for Manchester Primary Care Trust said that coverage
in some parts of Greater Manchester was better than others.
"In some areas, there have been problems recruiting radiographers
as there is a national shortage," she said.
"This has decreased capacity in the breast screening service, but
it is now being addressed."
CANCER Research UK is organising various events as part of Breast
Cancer Awareness Month - and there is an All Walk Together
sponsored walk in Manchester tomorrow (Saturday).
It takes place at Heaton Park at 11am and anyone can turn up on the
day to register, and take part in a 5km or 10km walk. For more
information, visit
www.cancerresearch.org
MAMMOGRAPHY is a type of breast X-ray using only a limited
amount of radiation.
It can identify breast cancer in its early stages and, in the UK,
once a woman reaches the age of 50 she will be invited to take part
in a three-yearly screening programme.
The radiographer places each breast in turn between two Perspex plates so that it is compressed and a brief pulse of X-ray is used to take an image of the breast in a quick procedure.
Some women find the experience uncomfortable, a few say it is painful but, for the majority it is no more than minor discomfort.
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