‘The appointment that saved my life’

24th March 202524th March 2025

Imagine a lemon – you can’t see the pips or feel the pips. Early screening for breast cancer is essential to find cancer-causing cells before they develop into something you can feel or see.

Imagine feeling perfectly fine, no symptoms, no worries – just the everyday busyness of life. That’s exactly how Emma felt when she received her breast screening invite.

“I was too busy. Work, kids, life – it all got in the way. But something inside me nudged me to go. I almost cancelled, but that 20-minute appointment saved my life.”

Emma, 52

Emma sat in the waiting room. She’d heard the myths, the worries about discomfort, and even the fear of finding something. But our trained staff were kind, reassuring her every step of the way. The screening itself was quick. She was in and out, ready to carry on with her day within just 20 minutes. She didn’t think much about it until the results came. We’d found something. But it was caught early – so early that Emma didn’t even have symptoms yet. She often thinks back to that day she almost cancelled and shudders at the thought of what could have been if she had missed her appointment.

‘I received my breast screening invite, and I almost ignored it. My life was stressful, and I felt fine. But something made me book that appointment – and it changed everything. The scan detected an issue, long before I had have noticed anything myself. Today, I am glad I attended the appointment.

– Sarah, 70

‘Don’t Let It Be You’ – Join the Movement

Early detection saves lives. When breast cancer is caught early, treatment is more likely to be successful. In many cases, it can mean less invasive treatment and a much better outcome. Emma and Sarah are living proof that attending your screening, even when you feel perfectly fine can make all the difference.

We know that some women face additional barriers, from cultural misconceptions to feeling too busy. That’s why we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need more information, reassurance, or help with practicalities, our diverse team is ready to help.

‘Don’t let it be you’ is a new campaign being launched in Kirklees to encourage women to take up their breast screening when they are invited. The campaign aims to not only highlight the importance of breast screening but to also highlight the risks of not attending a breast screening appointment when invited, so ‘Don’t let it be you’ who misses your breast screening appointment.

All women, registered with a GP, will receive their first breast screening invite between the ages of 50-53 and will be invited every three years until they reach 71. If you are 71 and over, and have stopped receiving screening invitations, you may still be eligible for breast screening.

At our practice, we hear stories like Emma’s and Sarah’s more often than you’d think. Yet, many women in our community are missing out on this life-saving opportunity. Whether it’s due to fear, cultural misconceptions, or simply feeling “too busy,” these barriers are real.

We know health inequalities exist, and we’re actively working to change that. Our community outreach is focused on listening to your concerns and providing personalised support. We collaborate with local groups, ensuring that information about breast screening is clear and culturally sensitive.

Breast screening is about giving you the best chance to catch any issues early. It’s quick, it’s free, and it could save your life – just like it did for Sarah and Emma. If you’ve received an invite, please make that appointment. If you missed yours or have questions, Send us a PATCHS request today to schedule your appointment.

For more information, visit Kirklees Breast Screening.