Events held to raise money

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and staff in the screening service have organised fundraising activities at St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

Last year Pennine staff raised more than £800 for breast cancer care and hope to raise even more this year.

“We have organised lots of ‘pink’ activities to raise money, including a ‘pink’ tombola, raffle and baking sale,” said Jannette Watmough, radiographic assistant.

“We really appreciate the support from local companies who have donated gifts to help us.”

Companies who have donated gifts include Dunne’s Store at Idle, Towngate Fisheries at Idle, Mumtaz and Aagrah Restaurants in Bradford, Booths at Ilkley and Sainsbury’s at Keighley.

Firms also support the fight against breast cancer throughout the year as the Breast Screening Programme relies on the goodwill of local supermarkets and businesses to provide sites for the mobile screening units.

“We screen about 4,000 women a month so it’s great that local companies let us use their grounds to site the mobile units,” said Lynn Clark, health promotion specialist.

“This means that we can continue to provide a more accessible service for local women.”

Mobile screening units are now based at Dunne’s store at Idle, Sainsbury’s at Keighley and Greens Health and Fitness at Shipley.

Women who are invited to the mobile unit at Greens Health and Fitness will also receive a free day pass to try out the facilities courtesy of Greens.

“We hope this provides an added incentive for women to try out some health and fitness activities,” said Lynn. “The risk of breast cancer increases with age and maintaining a healthy weight after 50 can help to reduce the risk.”

Women aged 50 to 70 who are due for screening will automatically be invited for breast screening every three years.

Anyone seeking further information about breast screening or to discuss an appointment should contact Pennine Breast Screening on (01274) 365521/22/23.