News

Local healthcare providers have teamed up to host a special event designed to raise awareness and improve access to breast screening for women with learning disabilities. 
 
Now in its fifth year, ‘My Breasts and Me’ focuses on increasing the uptake of breast screening among women with a learning disability in Worcestershire.
 
The event is a collaboration between Community Learning Disability Teams from Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, and the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven, operated by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Together, the teams are working to provide women with learning disabilities the opportunity to learn more about breast screening in a supportive, inclusive environment.
 
Curated by specialist community learning disability nurses, the events have been purposefully designed for women with learning disabilities; balancing the importance of breast screening awareness with a fun-filled day of games and activities themed around breast health.

At the event held last Friday, nurses from the Worcestershire Breast Unit gave demonstrations on how to perform a self-breast examination and explained what to do if you notice any changes or abnormalities with your body.
 
Those in attendance also had an opportunity to meet with the radiographers to tour the unit, familiarising themselves with the equipment used to carry out mammograms – a process that checks breasts for signs of cancer.
 
Saff Davies, Community Learning Disability Nurse at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust said, “Over the last five years, more than 100 women from across Worcestershire have attended the ‘My Breasts and Me’ events. 
 
“By combining practical guidance with a supportive and accessible event, we hope we can reduce anxieties around breast screening and encourage more women to attend their breast screening appointments.
 
“We also want to ensure that families and carers know of the importance of breast screening in detecting cancer early and how they can support their loved ones to attend routine screening appointments”.
 
Rachel King, Breast Care Specialist Nurse at Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven said, “Together with my colleagues at the Breast Unit, we collaborated with the Worcestershire Community Learning Disability teams to host these events annually since 2019. 
 
“They have been really well attended and it’s so rewarding seeing the ladies and their carers taking an active role in managing their breast health”.
 
Most women in Worcestershire will be routinely invited for NHS breast screening every three years between the ages of 47 and 70 years.
 
Anyone experiencing symptoms or changes in their breasts, of any age should contact their GP, even if they have recently had a clear breast screening.