LANDMARK buildings across Wirral have been illuminated in pink to raise awareness for breast cancer screening.
The initiative, led by the Wirral and Chester Breast Screening Programme, aims to highlight the importance of early detection of breast cancer.
Statistics have revealed that 1 in 5 people do not attend their breast screening appointment.
The Breast Screening Team are urging people to make sure they attend when they receive their invitation.
Michelle Leatherbarrow, improving breast screening uptake officer at Wirral and Chester Breast Screening Programme, said: "All women aged 50-70 will routinely receive a breast screening invitation.
"Routine screening can find breast cancers at early stages when they are too small to see or feel.
"When life is busy, it’s so easy to prioritise other things or forget to attend your appointment."
The initiative has seen several Wirral landmark buildings join Arrowe Park Hospital in lighting up pink.
The aim is to symbolise unity in the fight against breast cancer and raise public awareness across the community.
Annette, a Wirral resident, shared her compelling story to encourage others to attend their screening appointment.
When she received her first invitation at age 51, she hesitated, wondering if it was worth the time.
She said: "None of my friends had bothered to go for their appointment, so it didn’t seem that important."
But something told her to go.
That decision led to a diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer, a shocking discovery as she didn’t have any symptoms.
Now, 15 years breast cancer-free, Annette reflects: "I’m grateful every day that I made that choice.
"It has allowed me to see my grandchildren and great-grandchildren growing up."
Janelle Holmes, chief executive for Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: "Early detection of cancer saves lives, and our commitment to this initiative underscores the importance of accessible screening for all."
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the UK.
Almost all women with breast cancer survive their disease for five years or more if it is detected at the earliest stage.
This figure falls to around three in 10 women when breast cancer is diagnosed at the most advanced stage.
People who have been invited for breast screening but have not yet attended should call their local breast screening office to book in.
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