IN a bid to improve the number of women in Thurrock who get checked, NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System has launched a new breast screening support video.

The move comes as data shows that women living in Thurrock are significantly less likely to attend breast screening appointments than their Essex neighbours.

Nearly four in 10 eligible women in Thurrock and Southend do not attend their breast screening appointments, creating a missed opportunity for early detection that could help save lives. The national average is three in ten.

NHS Mid and South Essex is promoting the video to help women feel more informed and confident about attending their mammogram appointments.

Watch the video via this link:-

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK and the fourth most common cause of cancer death. Breast screening helps to catch cancer in the early stages when it can be easier to treat, which significantly improves patient and treatment outcomes.

The new video, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, provides a clear, step-by-step overview of the breast screening process – from receiving an invitation to attending the appointment and receiving results. It aims to reduce anxiety, dispel myths, and encourage more women to attend.

The reasons behind low attendance rates were captured in a recent breast screening attitudes survey.

Many respondents reported barriers such as pain, anxiety, accessibility issues, and lack of culturally sensitive care, despite 95.4% saying that screening was "very important".

If you require more information about breast-screening in Thurrock call South East Essex Breast Screening Service on 0300 443 5422.