“Extend Mammogram Screening” - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: “Extended Mammogram Screening” – A NURSE from Westcliff is leading a campaign to extend the age that women are offered mammograms.

“Extended Mammogram Screening” - A NURSE from Westcliff is leading a campaign to extend the age that women are offered mammograms.

A NURSE from Westcliff is leading a campaign to extend the age that women are offered mammograms.

Emma Gracie’s petition is calling on the Department of Health and Social Care to continue breast cancer screening invitations for people aged 71 and over.

Ms Gracie, 43, is practice nurse at Southend Medical Centre, and advises women about breast health on a regular basis, but is concerned that a third of breast cancers and more than half of all deaths associated with breast cancer are among women over this age.

Ms Gracie explained: “Mammograms are an important part of breast health and women are entitled to have them, every three years, for their whole lives.

“However, women over 71 no longer receive a letter to invite them to screening – they have to arrange it themselves.

“Through my experience with patients, most women in this age group aren’t aware of this. Understandably, they assume that screening ends at 71.

“By the government’s own admission, breast cancer is more common in this age group.”

Ms Gracie continues: “Women shouldn’t have to arrange it themselves. It makes them feel undervalued because of their age and ‘not worth’ screening as some patients have told me. The cost of a simple letter is pence.”

Ms Gracie’s petition has gained more than a quarter of a million signatures since it was started last year.

She has also tried to raise the issue with local MPs, but reports a lack of success: “I worked for the charity Lady McAdden Breast Cancer Trust and Anna Firth did raise it in parliament once.

“I’ve since contacted David Burton-Sampson, but just received a generic reply about the UK screening programme.

“I’ve tried again with him and am awaiting further response.”

Ms Gracie would like her petition to reach 500,000 signatures, and adds a note to all residents to get behind her campaign: “Please support me in this fight to ensure that women of all ages are treated fairly and receive the screening they are entitled to, and prevent so many unnecessary deaths.”

Visit: https://chng.it/m2tGSDVR5v

Picture: practice nurse Emma Gracie

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