This October, the Trust has joined forces with QEHB Charity and the University of Birmingham to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

The tallest free-standing clock tower in the world, the University’s Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower (affectionately known as ‘Old Joe’), will turn a shade of pink during the first week of the month.

University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) is taking the opportunity to urge ladies to say ‘yes’ to breast screening. The Trust runs the South Birmingham Breast Screening Service which invites over 15000 ladies a year for a mammogram.

Siobhan Lydon, Senior Radiographer, Health Promotion and Advanced Practitioner at UHB, said: “Breast screening aims to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage, often before women are aware of any abnormalities. Early detection may mean simpler and more successful treatment.”

Every three years, ladies who are eligible for breast screening receive an invitation letter through the post detailing an appointment date and time.  Appointments take place at Birmingham Women’s Hospital, where the service is based, and on mobile units. A mobile mammogram trailer worth £250,000 was launched by QEHB Charity, Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer and UHB in April 2016, enabling more women to attend breast screening appointments out in their community instead of requiring them to travel to the hospital.

Siobhan continued: “If you receive an invitation letter, please come along to your appointment. We are trying to get the message out that the NHS Breast Screening Programme currently saves an estimated 1300 lives each year in the UK.”

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says that being breast aware means:

• knowing what's normal for you
• looking at your breasts and feeling them
• knowing what changes to look for
• reporting any changes to your doctor without delay
• attending routine breast screening if you're eligible.

The Breast Screening team will be holding an information stand in the atrium of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham on 5, 6, 13 and 20 October. There will also be the chance to win a fantastic prize in the raffle for Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer, supported by QEHB Charity.

For more information about the Charity or to support breast services at UHB, please visit the QEHB Charity website.

• QEHB Charity - Ladies fighting breast cancer

For more information about breast cancer, and how to check your breasts, you can visit the NHS Choices website:

• NHS Choices - Breast cancer awareness

If you have any queries about the Trust's breast screening service or you would like to find out more, you can contact the breast screening service:

• NHS Breast Screening Programme - South Birmingham

Tel: 0121 623 6890