Doctors across Newham are urging elderly women to be more aware of breast cancer and to request an appointment to be screened every three years.

The latest phase of the NHS ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign aims to get more women with breast cancer diagnosed at an early stage by raising awareness of symptoms and encouraging people to attend breast cancer screening.

Women over 70 are less likely to attend screening because they no longer receive automatic appointments for screening.

However older women are still entitled to screening every three years.

Dr Zuhair Zarifa, local GP and chair of NHS Newham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “In the UK, more than 13,000 women aged 70 and over are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

“With the right support and an early diagnosis, treatment can be successful whatever your age. If you’re embarrassed or worried about speaking to your doctor, remember that GPs are there to help and that they see people in the same situation every day.

“A lump isn’t the only sign of breast cancer’. If you notice any changes in your breasts, you should make an appointment to see your GP straight away. It might not be anything serious, but if it is, getting a diagnosis early can make a real difference.”

About one-third of all breast cancers occur in women over the age of 70.