A pink-themed Christmas tree has been erected by a local garden centre to encourage more women to attend breast screening appointments.
Pimbo Garden Centre located in Upholland has decorated its festive foliage with messages showing the importance of breast screening alongside pink tinsel, baubles and ribbons – all topped with a pink star.
Their support is particularly important for the South Lancashire Breast Screen Unit as they will be screening in the Skelmersdale area from January.
One of the Trust’s mobile screening units will be based at the Hillside Health Centre, on Tanhouse Road, for those who receive a screening invitation.
The family-owned garden centre was passed down to brothers David and Andrew Rigby from their parents Gerry and Shirley.
Staff Member Diane Smith with Tree
David and Andrew said; “We both wanted to support the South Lancashire Breast Screening Unit and this was a great way for us to remind our customers how important screening is in a fun and eye-catching way.”
Janet Ellison, Patient Navigator for South Lancashire Breast Screening said; “I’d like to thank David and Andrew and all their staff for showing their support for our cause, especially with us screening in the area next month.’’
“We wanted to dress the Christmas tree in pink to promote the South Lancashire Breast Screening Service which is available to all eligible women aged between 50-70 years who have been asked to book an appointment with us.
“In some areas of Lancashire, three in ten women currently do not attend their breast screening appointments.
“If breast cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stage of its development, it is estimated that after five years 99 out of 100 women diagnosed will still be alive, so being screened regularly and detecting changes early is very important.”
Should you require further information about breast screening, contact the South Lancashire Breast Screening Unit at The Thomas Linacre Centre, Wigan on 01942 774713, or contact your own GP.