Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Amanda Agbebi’s Story
News - 23/10/25
In 2024, during breast cancer awareness month, I shared my own story of my breast cancer diagnosis in October 2023, and subsequent treatments. In relation to my own journey I continue to be cancer free, am taking post cancer medication until 2029, and I am currently tentatively awaiting my second annual mammogram and check up in November.
Mammogram Screening
As per my article last year, my cancer was picked up during routine mammogram screening – I had no signs or symptoms, highlighting the importance of attending for screening, when invited – which is usually from the age of 50 years.
Figures from NHS England show that in 2022-23 there was a 64.6% uptake for screening, this improved in 2023-24 to 70%, with 16,677 women having cancers detected through screening (aged 45+), 79.1% of these being invasive cancers. This compares to 18,942 cancers detected in 2022-23.
Whilst uptake in screening increased slightly it is worthy of note that 1 in 4 people receiving their invites for the first time did not attend. “NHS estimates suggest that if screening attendance could be improved to 80% of those eligible for 2025/26, nearly a million more women could be screened compared to 2022/23 – with over 7,500 additional breast cancers detected at an earlier stage, when they are more treatable.” Breast Screening Programme – NHS England Digital There is still a lot of work to do!
Over the last couple of years the charity ‘Breast Cancer Now’ have been pushing for NHS England to do a breast cancer screening campaign. This came to fruition this year when on 17th February the first ever NHS England (supported by Breast Cancer Now) campaign for breast cancer screening was launched to encourage women to attend for screening. One week after its launch NHS breast screening pages had received 32,432 visits – an increase of 145%.
As stated in my article last year Please be amongst the percentage of women who attend their screening appointment, it might save your life.
Breast Checks
Whilst my starting focus has been on mammogram screening, checking of breasts is also a key way of identifying anything unusual. Recent research has found that 45% of women in the UK do not check their breasts regularly. Of those the following reasons were given.
A graphic showing statistics of the top 5 reasons women in the UK don’t regularly check their breasts.
Make checks part of your routine every month and if you notice anything unusual go and see your GP .
Wear it Pink Day
October 24th is ‘Wear it Pink’ day to raise awareness of breast cancer.
A graphic showing pink clothes on a washing line highlighting the wear it pink day for breast cancer awareness.
Turn your office or home pink and if you have any money to spare please donate to Breast Cancer Now to help them achieve their goal that “…by 2050 everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live, and be supported to live well”.
As always I am thankful for the screening and treatments available that mean I am still here to lead a normal life – whatever normal is!!
Author: Amanda Agbebi, Quality Assurance & Training Lead.