A south Manchester charity launched their very own ‘BooBee bus’ as part of a campaign to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The team from Prevent Breast Cancer, based at Wythenshawe Hospital, travelled across Manchester from the 12th-23rd October to raise awareness, as 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
Volunteers were on hand to provide information about breast cancer, urging women to seek help and encouraging them to not ignore their screening invitations.
The charity’s executive director, Nikki Barraclough, said: “Even before the coronavirus crisis, many women were missing screening appointments, so it is vital that we raise awareness of the importance of screening, especially in the areas where we know that uptake has fallen more than others.
“Now, perhaps more than ever, is a crucial time for raising awareness of signs, symptoms and screening, and encouraging women to seek relevant professional medical support where it is needed.
“Our message to women is do not ignore your breast screening invitation, and if you have any symptoms, speak to your GP.”
Screening helps doctors to detect breast cancer early and has a major positive impact on how successfully patients are treated once diagnosed.
For every 200 women that are screened, one life is saved, meaning that early screening and diagnosis has the potential to save around 1,300 lives each year, according to research by the NHS.
However, a recent report by Breast Cancer Now found there have been 107,000 fewer screening referrals over the past four months compared to the same period last year.
Prevent Breast Cancer is at the forefront of cancer research, funding research projects into the prediction and prevention of breast cancer.
Situated in the only breast cancer prevention centre in the UK, it aims to eradicate the disease through preventative testing, screening, lifestyle changes and drugs when necessary.
