A reason for women not attending their breast cancer screenings can be the unnecessary panic they can cause.

Superintendent mammographer, Ivy Okereke, said she has spoken to people who didn’t attend because they don’t want to have all the anxiety of testing, and it turns out to be nothing. Often, they had friends who got called back for no reason.

The fear of the unknown is scary, but Medway Maritime Hospital and Darent Valley have a special team of nurses who try and make the process a little less frightening.

“It’s always easier if you know what’s happening and why it is happening.

“We have lots of support to offer and can help with home situations, benefits advice and more practical help,” explains Louise Black, one of the two Macmillan breast care clinical nurse specialists at Medway Maritime Hospital.

Louise and her team help the 350 woman diagnosed, either through screenings or the symptomatic route, every year through every stage of the journey.

For every 1,000 women who turn up to the screening, 50 will be recalled for further investigation.

These 50 women will be in touch with a Macmillan nurse.

Only six will get diagnosed with breast cancer.

Louise told the Messenger: “I’m not always looked at favourably when I’m sitting in clinic but we see ladies who have benign conditions as well.

“We try to call ladies who do need follow up appointments so the letter isn’t a complete shock. We reassure them on the reasons they are invited back.

“We’re also there at the point of diagnosis. Doctors tend to be clinical and say it as it is and quite rightly so, but our role is to break that down and explain what it means in laymen’s terms.

“Once they’ve seen the consultant or radiographer we will take them to one side and explain it again, give them our contact number and the information they need.

“It’s not until after they leave and process the news that they think of questions to ask, we’re here to answer them.

“We call within a few days to see how they are doing.”

While surgeons and doctors are experts in their fields and can answer your medical questions, it’s often the more emotional and practical issues that women need help with. Macmillan nurses are there to help.

Louise added: “The range of questions we get asked is so vast from what type of bra they need to wear after treatment to how long they need off work.

“Everyone’s concerns are generally similar but it depends on diagnosis and individual family support.

“It depends on the person as to how much support they want, some people are really independent and manage with minimal input and some require more.

“It’s always a shock however much you prepare yourself for the news. Our role is to help alleviate those concerns and tell them why we’re doing what we’re doing and what the future involves.”

Being tested for cancer and not knowing what’s around the corner is scary, but the Macmillan nurses are there to answer any questions and help every step of the way. However long that process may be.