Covering:
Gateshead, Sunderland, South Tyneside, Durham and Chester-le-Street
One woman’s journey through breast screening
Meet Allison Allison is one of the women invited every three years for free breast screening from the age of 47.
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Gateshead Breast Screening Programme One woman’s journey through breast screening
Step 1
An invitation to breast screening A letter arrives at Allison’s home from the Breast Screening Unit. It gives Allison the date, time and venue of her appointment. Allison can’t make the date of her appointment so phones and easily re-arranges the date. She can also use this number if she has any questions.
Gateshead Breast Screening Programme One woman’s journey through breast screening
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Step 2
Arriving at the screening unit On arrival Allison meets the receptionist who takes her health questionnaire and checks her personal details. All the staff Allison will meet during her screening visit are women.
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Gateshead Breast Screening Programme One woman’s journey through breast screening
Step 3
Getting ready for the mammogram A mammographer (lady who takes the breast x-rays) shows Allison to a changing cubicle. Allison takes off her top and bra then puts her cardigan back on.
Gateshead Breast Screening Programme One woman’s journey through breast screening
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Step 4
Getting ready for the mammogram The mammographer invites Allison into the x-ray room through an adjoining door. The mammographer explains how the breast x-rays will be taken.
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Gateshead Breast Screening Programme One woman’s journey through breast screening
Step 5
Having the breast x-ray Allison is positioned into the x-ray machine. It feels a bit uncomfortable because the breast is gently squeezed for a couple of seconds, this is to help get a good picture. Both the breasts are x-rayed. Allison then gets dressed and leaves.
Gateshead Breast Screening Programme One woman’s journey through breast screening
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Step 6
The results process Two specialist film readers check the x-rays to look for areas of concern in the breast tissue. Once the results are agreed a letter is posted to Allison.
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Gateshead Breast Screening Programme One woman’s journey through breast screening
Step 7
Results by post Allison receives her breast screening results in writing within three weeks. Her results are normal, so Allison is invited to return in three years.
Gateshead Breast Screening Programme One woman’s journey through breast screening
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A19
Where will you be screened?
A1058
South Shields
A69
A167
2
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Jarrow
3
Heburn
1
Blaydon
Gateshead
Boldon Colliery
Felling Whickham
Sheriff Hill A692
Chopwell
Rowlands Gill
Sunnyside
4
Team Valley Trading Estate
A19
A101
A194(M)
Low Fell
Springwell
A1
Washington
A1231
Sunderland
Birtley
5
A1(M)
Ouston
A690
A693
Consett
Doxford Park
North Lodge
Stanley A693
Chester-le-Street
6
A690
A19
Burdon
Houghton-le-Spring
A167
A691 Lanchester
Hetton-le-hole
Wheatley A167
A691
A690
South Hetton
A1(M) Pittington
Framwellgate Moor A68
7
Durham Sherburn Village
Esh Winning
A1(M) Brandon A167 Bowburn
For further information on any of the venues please contact us on: A68
Crook Willington
Cornforth Spennymoor
A167
F
10
Wheatley Hill
hill
Gateshead Breast Screening Programme One woman’s journey through breast screening
Trimdon
Wi
1
Blaydon Blaydon Primary Care Centre Breast Screening Department Shildon Road Blaydon NE21 5NW
2
Jarrow Palmer Community Hospital Mobile Breast Screening Unit Wear Street Jarrow NE32 3UX
Marsden
3
18 Seaburn
South Shields Cleadon Park Primary Care Centre Breast Screening Department Acacia Grove, King George Road South Shields NE34 8PP
d
4
Gateshead Queen Elizabeth Hospital Breast Screening Unit Sheriff Hill Gateshead NE9 6SX
A1018
n
Seaham
5
Sunderland Sunderland Royal Hospital Breast Screening Centre Chester Road entrance Sunderland SR4 7TU
A19
6
Easington
Chester-le-Street Chester-le-Street Hospital Mobile Breast Screening Unit Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3AT
Peterlee Shotton
7
ingate A19 Nesbitt
A179
Crimdon Park A179
Durham Durham Area Mobile Breast Screening Unit For current venue contact 0191 445 2554
A19
Gateshead Breast Screening Programme One woman’s journey through breast screening
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Acknowledgements
If you have any questions contact
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead NE9 6SX
Publication date: June 2011
We would like to thank all the staff at the Gateshead Breast Screening Programme, the Women’s Cancer Detection Society (WCDS) who funded this project, our volunteers who freely gave their time and Route 26 women’s group.