News

The Breast Screening Programme, which was paused in March because of coronavirus (COVID-19), is to resume safely and carefully from August – beginning in Barra before travelling onwards to Lewis.

Provisional dates for the Breast Screening Mobile Unit’s visit to the Outer Hebrides have been scheduled as follows:

• Barra: 19^th August – 25^th August 2020
• Benbecula: 27^th August – 2^nd October 2020
• Harris: 6^th October – 15^th October 2020
• Stornoway: 20^th October – 20^th November 2020

Those who had been due to attend clinics that were cancelled in Lewis will receive an appointment when the Mobile Unit returns to Lewis.

There will be no change to the screening test, however additional measures have been introduced to allow screening to take place in a safe environment. Staff will wear necessary personal protective equipment and appointments will be staggered to ensure waiting areas are quieter, allowing staff and patients to adhere to physical distancing. A leaflet will be included with invitation letters to explain the changes.

Breast screening aims to find breast cancers early. It uses an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they are too small to see or feel. Following a review of these initial images, a small percentage of women will be asked to attend an appointment at a mainland Breast Screening Centre for further examination. If you are not willing to travel for this review appointment, please discuss this with the Breast Screening Centre staff on 01463 705416 before you attend for the mammogram.

All women are asked to keep to the appointment times specified on their appointment letter and to attend alone, unless they require an interpreter or carer. Anyone who receives an appointment that they cannot attend, or who has any other questions, are asked please DO NOT go to the Mobile Unit but instead to call the Breast Screening Office on 01463 705416.

Due to the constraints COVID-19 has placed on the service, it is unable to offer appointments to women over the age of 70 years for this year’s visit. Any woman that has concerns about breast changes should attend their own GP practice.

Please visit the NHS Inform site to find out more about Breast Screening at: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/screening/breast/breast-screening