SoR backs breast screening campaign
The SoR has joined forces with a breast cancer charity to encourage
women to attend breast screening appointments and urge friends and
relatives who are eligible to do the same.
In some parts of the country, take up of screening appointments is as low as 50% – far below the minimum standard of 70%. Reasons for low take up of screening appointments include: misconceptions about breast cancer and who is at risk from it; misconceptions about breast screening; inaccurate or outdated address details held by GPs; and inconvenient times and location of appointments.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Screening Saves Lives campaign aims to increase the number of women accessing the NHS Breast Screening Programme, as well as highlighting ways in which the programme can be supported in its work.
The SoR has supported the campaign since a motion was passed at the 2006 TUC Annual Congress.
SoR CEO Richard Evans said: “As well as reminding members to attend their own screening appointments, we are asking employers to commit to allowing female employees over 50 to have time off to attend breast screening appointments.”
More information on the campaign can be found at www.breakthrough.org.uk
Posted: 12/10/2007
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