MOBILE breast screening in Grays has resumed after the South Essex Breast Screening service opened their doors of its mobile unit again.

The service, located next to Morrisons in the town centre offers screening to invited women who are aged between 50 and 71.

The unit has additional personal protection equipment, wipe clean vinyl seating and flooring and additional hand sanitising points for patients.

A statement from the service says: "Breast screening in the community plays a really important role as it helps identify breast cancer early.

"The earlier the condition is found, the better the chances of surviving it.

"You're also less likely to need a mastectomy (breast removal) or chemotherapy if breast cancer is detected at an early stage.

"Screening saves about one life from breast cancer for every 200 women who are screened, this adds up to about 1,300 lives saved from breast cancer each year in the UK."

Clare Rogers, Programme Manager for South Essex Breast Screening for Mid and South Essex University Foundation Trust, said: "It's great to be able to welcome women back to breast screening, not only at the hospital site but now on the mobile screening units as well.

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"This phased return will see changes to units being made to ensure we are keeping everyone as safe as possible.

"We are working through the screening backlog as quickly as we can for those who were due to be seen in Grays by putting on additional clinics and opening at weekends where possible.

"We urge anyone who has any breast concerns not to wait for their screening appointment and to contact their GP immediately."