As long as you or any member of your household are not displaying symptoms of coronavirus or self-isolating, your breast screening appointment should be attended as normal.

Enhanced infection control measures are in place to ensure that screening can be delivered safely and all women attending are asked to wear a face covering at their appointment, unless there is a reason that they cannot do so.

Mobile units are currently screening in the following areas:

  • Dalgety Bay in Asda Car Park is inviting ladies from Inverkeithing, Rosyth and Dalgety Bay.
  • Burntisland public car park is inviting women from Burntisland and Kinghorn.

The earlier breast cancer is found, the easier it is to treat, with statistics showing women are five times more likely to survive if it’s caught early.

Women aged between 50 and 70 who are registered with a GP in the area will receive a letter through the post inviting them to attend a mammogram at a mobile unit in the area. The mammogram itself takes around ten minutes and can help pick up tiny cancers that can’t be seen or felt, often when they are less advanced. Breast screening saves around 130 lives in Scotland every year.

With the appointment letter comes information on what will happen at the mammogram so those invited have all the facts and feel prepared. It’s up to each woman whether she chooses to attend or not.

The combination of breast screening and regular checking gives women the best chance of being diagnosed early and surviving breast cancer. Mary Tait, Health Promotion Facilitator, from the South East Scotland Breast Screening Centre said: “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Scottish women, but it is the most treatable if caught early. Some women may feel anxious and nervous about screening – especially if it’s their first appointment – but all our mammographers are female and go above and beyond to make women feel comfortable on the day. If you decide to come along to your next appointment, I can reassure you that you won’t be alone. Most women invited for screening choose to go as it could save their life. Know the facts and don’t get scared, get screened.”

For more information visit www.getcheckedearly.org, where you can also see a video of what happens at a screening appointment.

Your local screening centre is South East Scotland Breast Screening Centre. For more information call 0131 537 7400.