Surrey resident urges women to attend annual mammograms, before it's too late

Jill Murray, 68, received her breast cancer diagnosis as a result of attending her yearly mammograms even through she was symptom free. She is now encouraging other women to get screened annually, as the results may be 'life changing'

She was diagnosed with breast cancer after doctors found calcification on one of her breasts following a routine mammogram in 2018. She has been speaking with us about her story, and why she wants to speak up and encourage others to get checked out.

"I was informed that if I hadn't of gone for mammograms, it would have just slowly built up got worse and worse, until it may have been too late to save me."

Jill is a grandmother and a mother of four, and she always made sure she attended her breast screenings since turning 50, as her mother had a benign lump on her breast when she was in her early twenties.

"Most people think they may feel a lump but it's not always the case. There's not any pain, but it could just be bubbling up inside you without you realising"

As the NHS launches its first ever breast screening campaign, national figures released by the NHS show more than four in ten women (46.3%), invited for a breast screening for the first time don’t act on their invitation.

Jill went on to talk about the reasons that she believes women often don't go for a screening.

"I do understand- it can be a little embarrassing, and people worry it may painful. But it is so important to get screened. This is your health and your life that your talking about and you owe it to yourself to look after yourself."

“Please don’t put it off. I was told if mine hadn’t have been picked up so early by the mammogram it would have kept growing for years and could have been discovered too late to be able to ensure a full recovery.”

Jill was given all clear in April 2023 and wants to share her story to help other families.

“I am lucky enough to have four children with young children of their own, so I kept a brave face on for them but with great service from the NHS and family support I got through it".

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