With 5,000 women across the country expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this month, The Medway Messenger is launching an awareness campaign with Medway Maritime Hospital.

Get It Checked, It’s For The Breast is encouraging women to respond to their invitations and attend their screenings.

In Medway, those aged 50-70 (with some being offered appointments from 47, or until 73) and registered with a GP are automatically registered for a screening every three years – but only one in four women take up the offer.

One in eight women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime with more than 80% occurring in women over the age of 50.

Over the next few months, the Messenger will be talking to the doctors, surgeons and nurses who help thousands of women every year through their journey and, most importantly, the women themselves.

From the mamographers who help you get tested to the support groups that get you back to your old self, the campaign will show how important it is to get ahead and beat this devastating disease.

Dr Rupika Mehta, breast screening unit director at Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“Too many women are receiving letters inviting them for screening but are not taking action and not coming in to see us.

“I understand it may be daunting or worrying to come in for a screening, and they may just not want to acknowledge they are at risk – but taking that first step is one of the most important thing they can do for their health.”

Gillian's story

I t was only tiny, like small grains of sand, but had it not have been caught early it could have turned into something bigger and harder to handle.

Gillian Bull received her invitation to have a mammogram when she was 65 and took the opportunity, despite having no symptoms.

Twelve days after she had her examination she was called back to the hospital for further tests which confirmed a very early and small amount of cancer in her breast tissue.

She said: “They took lots of biopsies and X-rays and turned me upside down but I didn’t get a diagnosis then.

“I used to be a medical secretary so I knew they wouldn’t go through all of that for nothing.

“I went back the following week and got told it had shown up like little grains of sands but would progress in to full blown cancer over time.”

Over the next six months after her diagnosis, Gillian underwent five surgeries to remove the cancer which included two local excisions and a mastectomy.

Her body rejected the implant she was given twice and she is now waiting to have a sixth surgery to take flesh from her tummy to be used as a breast.

“I was blessed that it was found at such an early stage,” she added.

“I could have had a third excision to try and get rid of it but that could have gone on and on, so I decided to have the mastectomy instead.

“The cancer has gone as far as we know. I can’t live without a boob so I’m waiting for a reconstruction.

“I’m looking forward positively. It’s been a trauma but life is for the living and there are lots of things I want to do and see while I have the years to do so.”

The mastectomy was a choice Gillian made and was one she knew she had to make.

She said: “Yes, it looks a bit like a war zone if I’m honest but I am alive.

“It doesn’t define who I am. I still take pride in my appearance and I’m having the reconstruction.

“It’s so important to go even if you think there is nothing wrong.

“I couldn’t feel a lump. I didn’t need to go. But it was there."

As part of our Get It Checked It’s For The Breast campaign we want to see our readers doing their bit to raise money.

If you are holding a cake sale, wear it pink day or any other fun way to raise money, send your pictures to us on anickalls@thekmgroup.co.uk.