News
About breast cancer screening in Calderdale
Breast cancer is one of the most talked-about cancers. We’ve all heard of it. And most of us know someone who has been affected. It’s also the most common cancer in women. Around 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. So, the older we get, the risk of breast cancer increases.
Still, the good news is, from the age of 50 you’ll be invited to have your breasts screened using a mammogram. The mammogram can spot cancers when they are too small to see or feel. It means we can catch them early!
Like all cancers, the earlier a cancerous growth is found, the better the chances of surviving. It also means less likelihood of needing a breast removed (mastectomy) or chemotherapy.
Overall, the breast screening programme finds cancer in around 9 out of every 1,000 women. Breast cancer survival is improving and has doubled in the past 40 years. If caught at the earliest stage (Stage 1) around 98% of women will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after their diagnosis.
Overall 76% survive breast cancer for 10 or more years.
When invited for a breast screening you will have two x-rays taken of each breast - this is called a mammogram. The appointment is likely to be 30 minutes, although the screening itself only takes a few minutes. You will stand in front of a special x-ray machine.
You are not alone when it comes to getting your mammogram. If you’ve never had one before, or it was a while ago and you just want a refresher, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance have got some really handy tips to think about to make the process as easy as possible!
Find out more, including common questions, myths and fears by visiting their website: www.breastscreeningaware.co.uk
This video explains how the Breast Cancer Screening Programme works in Calderdale: https://vimeo.com/241078206
Published on 28th Jan 2025
Behind the scenes of your general practice. Come and meet the team.
Did you know that, in addition to your GP, there are other health professionals in general practice who can help you get the right care?
General Practice teams are made up of a whole range of professionals, such as nurses, paramedics and clinical pharmacists. But a new survey in England has found that many people don’t realise that many roles, like mental health practitioners (66%), physiotherapists (71%) and social prescribers (89%), could be available at general practice.
To help explain the support available, the NHS has released a film that sees three curious children go behind the scenes at a general practice to meet the health professionals working there and learn more about how they help get patients the care they need.
In the film, the children are greeted by a member of the reception team, who takes them to meet members of the general practice, including a paramedic, mental health practitioner, social prescriber and physiotherapist.
The film illustrates the real-life process patients go through when they contact their local general practice, from the reception team using the information patients provide to getting directed to the right health professional for the care they need. If you need to see a GP you will always be offered an appointment, but there may be other health professionals available who can provide the most appropriate support.
Watch the campaign film here: https://youtu.be/5Y-3fLtBu2Q
Having a range of health professionals at your general practice means you can receive the right care for your condition as quickly as possible.
Your general practice team is here to help you.
To find out about the range of professionals here to help you in our practice, visit: www.penninegpa.co.uk/about-us/primary-care-additional-roles/
Contact us today to make an appointment and we will ensure you see the right person for your needs.
Published on 28th Nov 2023
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Published on 26th Apr 2022