IN PICTURES: Major success for Breast Cancer Awareness Month event at Northampton General Hospital

October marks an important time to promote breast cancer awareness, the signs and symptoms to look out for, and to break the stigma surrounding the disease.

The breast screening department hosted an awareness day on October 19, in which tours were given and people learned more about the mammogram and ultrasound machines.

There was a myth-busting stand where attendees learned the truth about a number of common misconceptions.

Information was also shared on vital charities Breast Friends Northamptonshire and CoppaFeel, as well as post-surgical bra fitter Anita.

Having previously spoken to the Chronicle & Echo ahead of the event, lead health promotion mammographer Roisian Burnell shared a worrying statistic about the decrease in breast screening uptake.

During a period when 19,215 women were invited to have their breasts screened, only around 65 percent attended.

“We’d like to get that a lot higher,” said Roisian. “Screening does save lives throughout the UK.”

While it is likely that women will return following their first screening, the uptake for first timers is low.

Roisian believes this comes down to not knowing what to expect, anticipating it will be painful, and not knowing whether it will be a female carrying out the screening.

“There are barriers as to why they don’t come,” the mammographer continued. “We want to break down the barriers and let them know it’s not as scary as it is made out to be online.”

The screening department hopes these important conversations will continue beyond Breast Cancer Awareness Month.