WOMEN are being urged to attend breast screening appointments under a new campaign.

The County Durham Wellbeing for Life service, based in Newton Aycliffe, is working with local GP surgeries and community venues to encourage women to find out more about breast screening.

One in eight women, along with one in 870 men, will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime and screening is estimated to save 1,500 lives in the UK every year.

Vicki Moffat, Wellbeing Coordinator, said “The number of women attending their breast screening appointments has fallen since 2011.

“Breast Cancer is not just a lump. Going for breast screening can find abnormalities which you wouldn’t necessarily be able to feel or see, so it is really important that you keep your screening appointments.”

All women aged between 50 and 70 are invited to attend the NHS Breast Screening Programme every three years.

Older women can still have the screening every three years, but won’t be automatically invited.