Approximately 3,000 women between the ages of 50 and 70 years will be receiving their invitations over the next few months to attend for breast screening when the mobile units return to Shetland on Monday 7 April 2025. There will be two mobile units based at Clickimin Leisure Complex until 12 June 2025.
The Breast Screening Service visits Shetland every three years, and Shetland remains one of the highest screening uptakes in the country. On our last visit in 2022, attendance had increased to 85.5% of eligible women attending for screening, which was a tremendous response.
Mrs Sarah Philip, Breast Services Manager for the North East of Scotland Breast Screening Service, is encouraging all those invited to attend. “Women between the ages of 50 and 70 years who are registered with a GP practice will receive an invitation for screening. We encourage anyone with symptoms or changes to their breasts to see their GP.
“Shetland has an impressive record with breast screening uptake, and I would urge all eligible women in Shetland to continue to take advantage of this important screening programme as they have done in the past. A small percentage of women who require further assessment will subsequently be recalled to the centre in Aberdeen for review.
“It is really important that women continue to come for screening each time we visit Shetland so that we can ensure there have been no changes in the three years since we were last here. If any woman missed or failed to attend three years ago, it is still important to come along for screening this time.”
Invitation letters will be sent out approximately four weeks prior to the screening appointment date.
Dr Susan Laidlaw, Director of Public Health in Shetland, is encouraging all women to attend their appointments. She said: “One in nine women in Scotland will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Women are much more likely to survive breast cancer if it is caught early, and the best way to do this is by having regular mammograms, as you may not be able to see or feel any early changes in the breast tissue.
“Anyone with symptoms of breast cancer or changes to their breasts should not wait for screening, but should speak to their GP.
“If there is anyone in Shetland who thinks that they should be eligible for screening but does not receive an appointment, please contact the Breast Screening Centre on 01224 550570.”
Dr Laidlaw added: “I would like to thank the Shetland Recreational Trust for its help and support in accommodating the unit at Clickimin in Shetland.”