Don’t Let it Be You, A New Breast Screening Campaign

Posted By: Christopher Morganon: October 26, 2024In: Current Affairs, News, Regional News, Talking Health TV

Photo by Thirdman: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-medical-professional-holding-a-pink-ribbon-7659778/

Reading Time: 2 minutes

By Joshua Robinson –

Kirklees Council is working in partnership with West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance on a new breast screening campaign called ‘Don’t Let it Be You.’

The campaign’s launch during breast cancer awareness month, encourages all those invited for their breast screening to make sure they book an appointment and attend.

All women, registered with a GP, will receive their first breast screening invitation letter between the ages of 50 and 53 and then will be invited every three years up until the age of 71.

If individuals are 71 and over, and have stopped receiving screening invitations, they may be eligible for an appointment to have breast screening. Contact Pennine Breast Services on 01274 365521.

It is advised to speak to one’s GP if there is an increased risk of breast cancer due to family history.

It is also advised that transgender people talk to their GP about Well Person checks as they may not get an automatic invite for appropriate screening when their gender marker has been changed on NHS records.

Councillor Beverley Addy, Kirklees Council’s cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Health said to Kirklees Together: “I am so proud to be able to support the ‘Don’t Let it Be You’ breast screening campaign to help raise awareness of the importance of attending cancer screening when invited so that early signs of cancer can be found, and lives can be saved. Please do make an appointment as soon as you receive your letter and remember to attend your appointment.”

Hayley Snowden – Health Inequalities Lead for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance said to Kirklees Together: “It’s great to be working alongside Kirklees Council on this campaign to improve awareness of the importance of attending a breast screening appointment when you are invited. There’s no doubt that cancer screening saves lives but sadly, data shows that only 60% of those invited in Kirklees go on to attend. If anyone is unsure about going through with breast screening, we ask you to contact Pennine Breast Services and share your concerns. By talking more about this vital screening programme and any barriers people are experiencing, we can ensure everyone who stands to benefit from screening gets the opportunity to do so.”