A VITAL programme aimed at raising awareness of the importance of breast screening is now available online.
The awareness programme, by the Women’s Resource and Development Agency (WRDA), was originally developed to help tackle inequalities in the uptake of breast cancer screening - as women living in deprived circumstances are less likely to attend.
The programme aims to raise awareness, explore and address fears surrounding breast screening and encourage screening.
With Covid-19 ruling out the usual face to face awareness raising sessions, the WRDA Training and Development Team has created integrated online awareness programmes, including webinars, Zoom group sessions and a series of animated storyboards, so the work can continue.
Anne McVicker, WRDA Director, said the online programme "spreads the message of the importance of screening in finding breast cancers early and in potentially saving lives.
"It also covers breast cancer symptoms and advises anyone with those symptoms to contact their GP as soon as possible, even during the pandemic," she said.
"It is essential that we get these key messages out widely now."
Dr Adrian Mairs from the Public Health Agency, which is funding the programme, said the WRDA online resources are "an excellent way of sharing important information about breast care and reminding women who notice changes in their breasts to contact their GP as soon as possible".
"Screening remains the best way we have of detecting breast cancer at an early stage when treatment can be more effective," he said.
"We have been working with the Health & Social Care Trusts to put measures in place to allow women to attend for screening, with strict Covid safety precautions in place."
Further information is available at https://wrda.net/breast-cervical-and-bowel-screening-awareness-programme/.
