- Sarah urges people to attend breast screening after her cancer was detected with no symptoms
- Early diagnosis and treatment at Bolton’s Breast Unit led to a successful outcome
- People are encouraged to attend screening appointments and seek advice about any breast changes
A Rochdale woman whose breast cancer was detected through routine screening is urging others not to put off their mammogram appointments, as Bolton NHS Foundation Trust marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Sarah Hickman, 50, had no symptoms and had noticed no changes when she attended her first routine breast screening appointment after receiving an NHS invitation.
Just one day later, she was contacted and asked to attend the Breast Unit at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust for further investigations.
Following additional imaging, an ultrasound and a biopsy, Sarah was diagnosed with a small breast cancer that had been detected at a very early stage.
Sarah said:
“Mine was a textbook case. I hadn’t noticed anything at all. Because I’d turned 50, I’d received my invitation for routine screening and went along without any concerns.
“The next day I received a message asking me to come to Bolton for further tests. It all happened very quickly, but throughout the process I felt completely reassured.
“The team explained everything clearly, answered all my questions and made sure I knew exactly what was happening at every stage.”
Sarah praised the Breast Unit’s ‘one-stop shop’ approach, where patients can undergo a range of tests on the same day if further investigation is needed.
She said:
“Everyone was so supportive. The imaging, ultrasound and biopsy were all explained thoroughly and none of it was painful or frightening. The staff were brilliant and made me feel comfortable and looked after throughout.
“Before I left, I already had an appointment booked to discuss my results. Having that plan in place straight away really helped put my mind at rest.”
Because the cancer had been found so early, Sarah underwent successful breast-conserving surgery and, within six weeks of her diagnosis, had completed her treatment.
She believes the NHS Breast Screening Programme may have saved her life.
Sarah said:
“Thank goodness we have this screening programme. I had no idea there was anything wrong.
“If I’d put that appointment off, or if I hadn’t been invited for screening, things could have been very different. Instead, the cancer was found early and treated quickly.
“In a matter of weeks, I went from not knowing I had cancer to being told it had been removed.”
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sarah is encouraging anyone who receives a screening invitation to make it a priority.
She said:
“There will always be reasons not to go. Work, family commitments and everyday life can easily get in the way.
“But the chances are you’ll go and everything will be absolutely fine. And if they do find something, catching it early could make all the difference.
“Please don’t put yourself at the bottom of the list. Make the time to attend. It could save your life.”
Sarah also highlighted the support available throughout diagnosis and treatment.
She said:
“You’re never left on your own. Every member of the team offered support and made sure I knew who to contact if I had any questions.
“I felt informed, cared for and involved in every decision about my treatment. Looking back, the whole experience was far less frightening than people might imagine.
“I’m incredibly grateful that the cancer was found when it was, and that these services were there when I needed them.”
The Trust’s Breast Screening Service provides routine screening for people across Bolton, Bury and Rochdale as part of the NHS Breast Screening Programme.
Screening is offered every three years to women and people assigned female at birth aged 50–70.
Naomi Duff, Cancer Screening Improvement Lead at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“Sarah’s story highlights exactly why breast screening is so important. Most people who attend screening will have no concerns and no symptoms, which is why routine mammograms can play such a vital role in detecting cancers at an early stage, often before a person is aware anything is wrong.
“Early diagnosis gives us the best opportunity to offer effective treatment and achieve the best possible outcomes. We know attending a screening appointment can feel daunting for some people, but our teams are here to support patients every step of the way, answer any questions and ensure they feel informed and reassured throughout their care.
“Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important opportunity to remind people to attend when invited and to contact their GP if they notice any changes in their breasts. Taking that appointment could make a real difference.”
Anyone who notices changes to their breasts should contact their GP. Eligible people are also encouraged to attend routine breast screening appointments when invited.
For more information about Breast Screening services at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, please visit their website.
