New social media campaign encouraging breast awareness

23 Oct 2020

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and RM Partners is running a video on social media to remind people of the importance of undertaking regular breast checks for any abnormal changes, to see their doctor if they have any concerns or worries, and to take up a breast screening invitation if they receive one.

The video is presented by Dr Emma Kipps, clinical director of RM Partners and consultant breast oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

Routine breast screening across England was suspended at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, except for high risk patients.

It is estimated that across London approximately 160,000 women have had their routine screen delayed, and it is expected that there are 1500 women with cancer in this cohort. In addition, many people have not been going to their GP during the pandemic with any concerns or worries they had about their breast health, which might have warranted an urgent referral.

The cumulative impact of this is that many people will have a delayed diagnosis of breast cancer, which could lead to poorer outcomes.

Breast screening has now resumed on a phased basis, and many of those eligible for screening across west London have now received or will receive their invitation.

The video is available here.

Information on breast cancer screening is available here.