Thousands of women across Epping Forest are being invited for screening during Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Epping Breast Unit at St. Margaret’s Hospital has begun a push to increase screening, with about 6,000 invitations sent out.

Janet Skeys manages the unit which was recently named as one of the best testing and aftercare centres in the region by Breast Cancer Screening Quality Assurance inspectors.

She said: “Any woman with breast cancer symptoms who are referred to the unit by their GPs are seen within two weeks whilst our breast screening service is now performing at full strength.  

“We hope that as many women as possible will attend their appointment and remind all women over the age of 70 that they can ring the screening office to make an appointment.”