Increasing breast screening uptake in West London

What’s the project about? 

Breast screening is vital in detecting breast cancer early and saving lives. It’s important that everyone attends their breast screening appointment. But not everyone feels confident or comfortable attending their appointment.  

The West of London Breast Screening Service want to encourage more women from underserved communities to attend their breast screening appointments.  

They’re developing case studies of women talking about why breast screening is important. They’re looking for women who’d be willing to be recorded or filmed whilst sharing their experience of using the breast screening service.  

Who can take part? 

You can take part if you’re a woman aged between 50 and 71 years and have used a breast screening service in London. If you’ve used the West of London Breast Screening Service, you’re particularly invited to take part.   

Women from South Asian, black, Chinese and Polish backgrounds are also especially invited to join.  

Why do you want me to be involved? 

The service want to encourage more women to attend their breast screening services to ensure that breast cancer can be found early.  

By sharing your experiences for other women to hear, you could help them feel more able to attend their appointment.  

What will you ask me to do? 

The organisers at the breast screening service will arrange to meet with you. This can be face to face or online. 

At the meeting, they’ll ask you about your experience of a breast screening appointment, or a cancer diagnosis from the appointment. This could cover:  

• Why you chose to go to your appointment  
• Any particular message you like to give to women who are hesitant to go 

Your conversation will be recorded and you’ll have a picture taken. You can choose whether you’d like to be filmed or not.  

How do I get involved?  

If you’d like to take part, please contact Nipunika Silva by email at nipunika.silva1@nhs.net, or you can phone on 07827 873754