A CHARITY has launched a campaign to encourage more women to learn how to examine their breasts.

Lady McAdden Breast Screening Trust, based in Hillborough Road Westcliff, hope to change the national statistic of 46 per cent of women who do not check their breasts regularly, through their scheme Put Yourself First.

It aims to encourage women to take one hour a year for themselves and to have a check-up and learn to examine their breasts.

Pippa Foster, spokeswoman for the charity, said: "Women, we have found, are notorious for forgetting about themselves and ignoring their own health needs.

"Often, their priorities are their family, their job, the house, the shopping...

"Their “I must do that” or “I’ll do that later”, for themselves, never actually happens as the rest of life’s demands take over.

"The idea of “Put Yourself First”, is the charity’s way of encouraging women over the age of 18, for just one hour a year, to do something for their own health and come to us at Lady McAdden, learn from our specialist nurses how to examine their breasts, what to look for, have their questions answered and have a mammogram if they are over 40.

"No GP referral to use the charity’s services is required and the trust has appointments to fit round the busy lives of women, who they welcome from across the country.

"Education and knowledge of one’s own health is so powerful.

By educating and encouraging women to know what’s right for them regarding their breast health, they are empowered to act if they do find something that’s not normal for them, months or even years down the line and it reassures them to carry on with the rest of their life priorities, for the cost of finding an hour of time for themselves once a year."

The trust receives no government or outside funding and makes no charge for using the services they offer.

They welcome any woman regardless of any financial donation they can make.

They rely solely on the generosity of public contributions and community fundraising activities to carry out their work.

Anyone wishing to make an appointment to visit the Breast Unit is encouraged to visit the rust’s website at adymcadddenbreastunit.co.uk or ring one of the team on 01702 343288.