Women in Dumbarton are being invited forward for their three-year breast screening appointment as the mobile breast screening unit arrives in the town.
Breast screening saves approximately 130 lives every year in Scotland because detecting cancers early usually makes them easier to treat.
The arrival of the mobile unit in Dumbarton means anyone due a screen in the area will have easy access to the unit, without having to travel far. All eligible women will receive an appointment, with up to 300 women being screened at the unit each week and around 3,000 set to receive their appointments over the next few months.
The mobile unit is staffed by breast screening Scotland radiographers under contract with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. It will be situated in the car park at Morrisons on Glasgow Road until the end of October, by which point all eligible patients will have received their appointment.
Dr Emilia Crighton, interim director for Public Health for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said:
“The West of Scotland mobile breast screening units are crucial in making it as easy as possible for patients across the health board to take up their screening opportunity. The screening process is a simple procedure to help catch breast cancer early, and help ensure we’re able to provide the right support and treatment for women who might be diagnosed.
“We’d urge anyone eligible to take up the opportunity to get themselves screened as part of the programme.”
In Scotland, women between the ages of 50 and 70 are offered breast screening every three years. The test takes a few minutes and involves a breast X-ray. Patients can carry on with their day as normal afterwards.
The mobile unit is one of a number of units currently situated around the West of Scotland. The aim of the units is to ensure access to and waiting times for screening are as equitable as possible.
Invitations for breast screening are sent out in batches according to the GP practice to which women are registered. They are issued directly from West of Scotland Breast Screening Service and are posted approximately four weeks in advance.
More information on the breast screening programme can be found on NHS Inform at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/screening/breast/breast-screening/
ENDS