Breast cancer survivor encourages attending screenings: "It doesn't have to be a death sentence"
New figures show more than a third of women in the East of England don’t act on their first invitation
Breast cancer cases in the East of England could be detected earlier as a major new NHS drive begins, supporting thousands more women in the region to attend potentially life-saving breast screening.
The NHS has launched its first-ever breast screening awareness campaign to encourage more women to make the most of regular mammograms, as new figures show more than a third of women in the East of England don’t act on their first invitation.
100,000 eligible women in the region have never been screened and 28% did not attend their screening appointments following an invitation.
Balwinder Nanray in Essex was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at her mammogram and tells us she was "in denial".
"I was diagnosed at the age of 52. I had no symptoms, I was healthy, I have no family history of cancer, thank God I attended my screening.
"When you're told those words you have cancer, I had to ask the consultant to repeat himself two or three times" says Mrs Nanray.
The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer and dying from the disease is set to rise dramatically by 2050, data suggests.
Figures from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organisation, projects breast cancer cases will rise by 21% in the UK and deaths from breast cancer by 42% by 2050.
They suggested the rises are due to increasing populations.
Worldwide, one in 20 women worldwide will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, studies show.
IARC scientist Dr Joanne Kim, one of the authors of the report, said countries needed to work on preventing cancer as well as investing in early cancer detection and treatment.
She added: "Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide and one woman dies from the disease, and these statistics are worsening."
The new NHS campaign being rolled out across the East – supported by leading charity Breast Cancer Now - highlights that screening can detect any cancers as early as possible, while also providing reassurance and relief to the millions of women who get the all-clear.
New NHS estimates suggest that if screening attendance could be improved to 80% of those eligible next year (2025/26), nearly a million more women in England (around 925,000) could be screened.
Mrs Nanray tells Greatest Hits Radio that women "shouldn't be scared".
"From my perspective, and my communities, I want to say don't be embarrassed, it's not a death sentence, the earlier you go for the screening, the better outcomes you have. The earlier it's detected the better the treatments are.
Mrs Nanray added being part of an Asian community presented additional challenges for her with stigma around cancer, especially gender-related cancers.
She said, “A recent survey showed almost 40% of women rarely or never talk about breast screening with their female friends and families, this happens even less in some communities and ethnicities, it’s not talked about enough and we need to get the conversation started.
Mrs Nanray joined an Asian breast cancer support group to help her deal with her diagnosis.
"Uptake of screening is lower in ethnic minorities and we need to address this health inequality. We need to collaborate and seek to understand by building trusted relationships."
Dr Pam Hall, Head of Cancer Screening and Immunisation Lead in Essex, said: “Although most eligible women in the region are taking up their invitations to breast screening, nearly a third are still hesitant.
"This new campaign is aiming to help us to reach more women and encourage them to keep their appointments, so that we can catch more cancers earlier when they are more treatable. Your screening can also help to provide reassurance if you are concerned. Your appointment could save your life.”
To contact your breast screening team, please call:
South Essex - call 0300 443 5422. You will be seen at Southend Hospital.
Mid Essex - call 01206 748339. You will be seen at Broomfield Hospital or Colchester Hospital.