4 March 2013
BREAST cancer screening is to come under the spotlight at a free lecture to be held at the University of Sheffield on Thursday, March 21 at 7.30pm.
The lecture, which is being hosted by the CR-UK/YCR Sheffield Cancer Research Centre (a partnership between the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and supported by Cancer Research UK, Yorkshire Cancer Research and the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity), is to be presented by Professor David Cameron, a cancer researcher from the University of Edinburgh.
It will draw on recent research published in a national independent breast cancer screening about how effective the NHS Breast Cancer Screening Programme is at saving lives. Professor David Cameron was one of the leading authors of the review.
Between 31 March 2011 and 1 April 2012 80 per cent of eligible women in Sheffield took up their screening invite, with 159 women being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Professor Malcolm Reed, consultant surgeon at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and NHS Foundation Trust and head of department at the University of Sheffield's Department of Oncology, said: "Breast cancer screening saves over a thousand lives each year in the UK. But while there is evidence in favour of breast cancer screening, it's equally important to understand the implications of the review as some women are treated for cancers which may never have caused any harm."
All women aged between 50 and 70 are invited to attend breast cancer screening appointments.
Shirley Harrison, a breast cancer patient from Sheffield who first found cancer in her breast 13 years ago and is currently undergoing treatment at Sheffield's Weston Park Hospital, said: "Making an informed judgement about the advantages and disadvantages of breast cancer screening is critical. This lecture is a great opportunity for people to be given clear information and understand the risks and benefits of screening, so they can make up their own minds and weigh up the potential risks of being overdiagnosed against the programme's life-saving benefits."
Members of the public will be provided with an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the lecture.
The talk will take place at the University of Sheffield's Firth Hall, on Western Bank at 7.30pm. It will be preceded by drinks and a reception at 6.45pm. To book a place visit http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/sheffield-cancer-research-centre/patient-public-information/public-lecture or telephone Lance Burn on 0114 271 3516 or email l.burn@sheffield.ac.uk stating how many seats you require.
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