Write a commentThe Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT) has recently launched Promoting Early Presentation of Breast Cancer (PEP) awareness sessions for older women.
The sessions are aimed at women aged 67+ who have received their final breast screening invitation. The sessions provide older women with the knowledge, skills, confidence and motivation to present promptly with breast symptoms, and thereby potentially improve survival from breast cancer.
On attending the PEP session, each woman will receive an appointment reminder card as well as an information door hanger card explaining the 5 point awareness code.
Know what is normal for you
Know what changes to look and feel for
Look and feel
Report any changes to your GP immediately
Attend for breast screening
As the likelihood of getting breast cancer increases with age all women who are aged 50-70 and registered with a GP are automatically invited for breast screening every three years.
Women over the age of 70 do not routinely receive screening invitations but are still eligible for screening and can arrange an appointment by contacting your local breast screening unit on 028 3839 7020.
Margaret Holland, Southern Trust Breast Screening Manager said:
“The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed the more effective treatment is likely to be. Although women over the age of 70 are no longer called for screening it does not mean they should stop checking their breasts.
The PEP sessions consist of a short presentation delivered by a specially trained radiographer combined with a brief DVD presentation showing how to examine your breasts.”
