During the current Covid pandemic, the breast screening service is facing many challenges. Dr Penny Haggett, Consultant Breast Radiologist, Clinical Lead for Breast Imaging and Director of Breast Screening for Hereford & Worcestershire has kindly given us this latest update.
“All issues are being addressed, both any backlog and the ongoing appointments. The mammogram appointments may be offered on a different hospital site to those offered pre-Covid in order to help maintain safe distancing.
Surveillance mammograms: Performed annually for those who have undergone previous breast surgery within the last 5 years. These are being offered in a timely way, currently at the Alex, Kidderminster and Bromsgrove hospitals.
Screening mammograms: The invitation for screening mammography is made every 3 years from 50 to 70 years of age for 150,000 women across Herefordshire & Worcestershire. We are still achieving the vast majority of invitations within 3 years. However currently, we are unable to routinely accommodate requests from women outside the screening programme age range to continue their 3-yearly screen.
The Very High Risk screening programme is continuing as normal.”
If you have any questions about screening, please contact the Hereford & Worcester Breast Screening Service on 01527 488253.