TV's Dr Christian welcomed by UHCW's breast cancer screening team

A SPECIAL guest was welcomed by the Breast Cancer Screening Team at University Hospital in Coventry to raise awareness about the importance of screening mammograms.

The staff were joined by Dr Christian Jessen from Channel 4 show Embarrassing Bodies during a screening session on their mobile mammography unit at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday (September 1).

Dr Christian is taking part in this year’s Stand Up To Cancer, a special event on October 19 run by Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK where television, music and film stars come together for a new national fundraising event to galvanise the public in the fight against cancer.

The team approached UHCW because its screening team has an ongoing innovative approach, being one of the first units in the UK to move to digital imaging and taking in the Government’s pilot to extend the age range of the women who are screened for breast cancer.

Dr Christian asked the women who attended why they thought screening was so important and then interviewed Sharon Hoffmeister, UHCW Deputy Superintendent Radiographer, and Alison Duncan, UHCW Consultant Radiologist, about more details about the overall screening programme.

Sharon Hoffmeister said: “This was a great opportunity for us to promote the importance of breast screening to a wider population.

“We had some fantastic women on the day who shared their experiences and it was lovely to meet Dr Christian.”

Alison Duncan said: “We are looking forward to seeing the finished version and hope that it encourages everyone to take part in screening and self examination.

“The earlier we can detect potential cancers, the better the outcomes for the patient and the more options we have for treatment.”

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Picture Caption:
L-R: Dr Christian, Sharon Hoffmeister, UHCW Deputy Superintendent Radiographer, Louise Cooper, UHCW Senior Radiographer. Picture kindly supplied by Philips.

Who is eligible?
• If you are between 50 and 70, you will be invited every three years to take part in the NHS Breast Screening Programme.
• Women between 50 and 70 will be invited every 3 years
• Women over 70 will no longer receive an invitation but have the right to request a screen every three years
• Services in Coventry and Warwickshire are currently part of a pilot scheme and you may be invited even if you are under 50 or over 70 years old.
Why go for screening?
• Breast screening (mammography) is an X-ray examination of the breasts. It can show breast cancers at an early stage, when they are too small for you or your doctor to see or feel.
• If changes are found at an early stage, there is a good chance of a successful recovery. Breast screening saves an estimated 1,400 lives each year in this country.
• A mammogram takes a few minutes and involves a tiny dose of radiation, so the risk to your health is very small. Your whole visit to the breast screening unit should take about half an hour.

For more information women in Coventry and Warwickshire can contact the Warwickshire, Solihull and Coventry Breast Screening Service on 024 7696 7200 or bss@uhcw.nhs.uk.