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NHS breast screening target met for first time in five years as Suffolk rates improve

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Breast cancer screenings in Suffolk have increased by over 4,000 women in the past year, helping push national uptake back to the crucial 70% target level.

Why it matters: Early detection through screening significantly increases breast cancer survival rates, with NHS England meeting its 70% uptake target for the first time since 2018-19.

By the numbers:

  • 75,863 Suffolk women aged 53-71 received breast screenings in the three years to March

  • This represents 78.2% of eligible women in the area, up from 75% in the previous period

  • Suffolk's rate significantly outperforms the national average of 70%

A woman having a screening test
Breast cancer screenings in Suffolk have increased by over 4,000 women in the past yearGov.uk

The big picture: Across England, 70% of 6.6 million eligible women were screened in the three years to March, up from 66.4% between 2020-21 and 2022-23.

What they're saying: Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said meeting the uptake target was "thanks to the tireless work of NHS breast screening staff".

But she warned there remains "significant work to do to save more lives from breast cancer through screening" and added "it's vital we now build on this progress".

For context: The rise follows NHS England's first-ever breast screening awareness campaign to encourage more women to attend potentially life-saving mammographies.

The details: Women aged between 50 and 71 who are registered with a GP in England are offered an NHS breast screening every three years.

By the numbers:

  • 16,677 women aged 45 and over had cancers detected through screening in the year to March

  • This corresponds to 8.5 cases per 1,000 women screened

  • This detection rate is down from 18,942 cancers and 8.7 per 1,000 women the year before

What they're saying: Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: "The NHS breast screening programme has potentially saved thousands of lives, so it's encouraging to see greater numbers of women are coming forward to be screened since 2021."

She added "identifying and addressing" the reasons behind why people may not engage with screening will help improve uptake further.

The bottom line: Michelle Kane, director of screening at NHS England, said: "If more women come forward, we can catch thousands of cancers earlier when they are more treatable and ultimately save lives."

More information about breast screening can be found here.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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Fashion, food and music: Ipswich students celebrate their heritage at Culture Day

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BBC Radio Suffolk DJ and broadcaster Angelle Joseph praised One Sixth Form College's celebration of cultural diversity, saying it gives students the chance to "celebrate who they are and where they are from."

Why it matters: The fifth annual Culture Day at One Sixth Form College (ONE) brought together students, staff and local organisations to champion equality and celebrate the diverse backgrounds within the Ipswich community.

BBC Radio Suffolk DJ and broadcaster Angelle Joseph with Ellisha Soanes, an Eastern Education Group consultant
BBC Radio Suffolk DJ and broadcaster Angelle Joseph with Ellisha Soanes, an Eastern Education Group consultantEastern Education Group

Students and staff took to the catwalk in a fashion show wearing outfits representing their heritage, with music provided by Angelle Joseph, who also hosts BBC Introducing in Suffolk.

"It's a chance to celebrate the diversity of the college," said Joseph, attending the event for the third time. "People have travelled from all over the world and now live in Ipswich. It's a day where everyone can feel really proud and celebrate who they are and where they are from."

The bigger picture: Local organisations including Aspire Black Matters, Ipswich Museum, Job Centre Plus, Karmartri, Outreach Youth and Volunteering Matters supported the celebration.

Activities included Chinese health practices, while food sold on campus offered a selection of dishes from around the globe.

Cass and Lexie from One Sixth Form College
Cass and Lexie from One Sixth Form College helped organise the Culture DayEastern Education Group

What they're saying: Lexie Jordan, 17, from Ipswich, who helped organise the event, said: "It's all about embracing everyone's different cultures, recognising where everyone is from and understanding what that means to each person."

For A-level student Cass Herrieven, 17, from Leiston, the day had personal significance: "It's important for me as I'm half Portuguese and I've not got much of a chance to connect with that side of me – so having somewhere that is celebrating me and everyone else is pretty special."

Nyasha Mangoma, 17, from Ipswich, who took to the fashion catwalk representing black Britain alongside her mother Sharon representing Zimbabwe, added: "I think it is important to celebrate everyone's cultures especially when we live in such a culturally diverse area of England."

Nyasha Mangoma was representing black Britain during the One Sixth Form College culture day
Nyasha Mangoma was representing black Britain during the One Sixth Form College culture dayEastern Education Group

For context: Ivya Scott, a University of East Anglia student representing Suffolk Windrush, displayed quilts people had made relating to their history. She said: "This event is important as people get to know the contributions that people in their community have made to Ipswich, Suffolk and Britain."

Jackie Ellis, representing The Hive and The Ipswich Museum, said: "I think this event is very important as there is a diversity of different communities (here at ONE) and when people learn from other cultures, it empowers them to interact better and understand one another."

Ivya, a student from the University of East Anglia
Ivya, a student from the University of East Anglia, came along to talk about the Windrusg GenerationEastern Education Group

The bottom line: ONE Group Principal Jake Robson summarised the event's purpose: "This is our fifth annual Culture Day, a celebration of belonging. It brings our diverse community together, allowing everyone to embrace both their unique identities and shared experiences."

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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