A BREAST cancer survivor who has lost several family members to the disease has credited a mobile screening unit with helping to save her life.

The unit was based at Chorley Hospital when Sue Francis was screened and she is now encouraging women to have regular checks.

Sue, 52, a senior pharmacy technician from Whittle-le-Woods, was diagnosed with breast cancer after having a mammogram two years ago.

She said: “I lost my mum, two aunties, two great aunties and both my grandmas to breast cancer so I would have gone to the ends of the earth to have a mammogram. But being able to have it on my doorstep did make it so much easier.

“I regularly check my breasts but the cancer I had was really deep down so I didn’t notice it myself.

“I was just called for my first routine mammogram at the mobile unit by letter. Luckily the cancer was in an early stage and I had surgery and radiotherapy.

“But the consultant said that if it had been six months later then the cancer would have spread. I can honestly say that the mammogram saved my life and I will be eternally grateful that I went for that appointment.”

Maggi Morris, NHS Central Lancashire director of public health, herself found out she had breast cancer through the screening programme and subsequently had a mastectomy.

She said: “If it had not been for the screening programme, my own condition may not have been detected early, and consequently may have been much more serious.

“This kind of service makes it easier for women to get to their appointments. I would strongly encourage all women to attend for screening when invited."

Between 2007 and 2009 there were 268 deaths from breast cancer in central Lancashire.

Despite this nearly a third of women eligible for screening did not take up the offer.

GP practice mobile breast screening is set to take place at the Haslingden Health Centre, Burnley General Hospital and Darwen Health Centre between July and September.

To find out more about breast screening visit your GP or visit www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/breastscreen.