“If you’re also interested in a local angle on International Cancer Day, I recommend speaking to the Exeter & Devon Breast Screening team who caught my breast cancer virtually hidden in my milk ducts though a routine mammogram yet there are a staggering number of women in the area who do not attend this free life and breast saving service (including our bee keeper who since my positive experience has gone and is absolutely fine). More women must be encouraged to go as no matter how vigilant one might imagine there checking for lumps maybe there are some early stages of cancer that will only be picked up at a screening mammogram, ultrasound followed by a biopsy! I had it all and a mastectomy last Spring and feel blessed to have had the experience I did in Exeter… 5 Stars!”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who cared for me following a breast cancer diagnosis in February this year. Getting told I have breast cancer was something I’ve always thought may happen to me (my Mum had it), and it’s lurked in the background. But for it to be discovered at an early stage felt very fortunate indeed. Then, to have the incredibly thorough, efficient and kind care I received made me feel lucky. It’s important to me to list as many departments and individuals as I can – each has helped to make me feel confident that the very best was being done to ensure I got well again. My thanks go to the ladies in the mammogram service, without you, my tumour wouldn’t have been discovered.”

“I wanted to thank you for the amazing treatment I received. This was my first experience of breast screening and for me it turned out to be quite traumatic having had to undergo two biopsies and now a possible operation. Despite this, your team have been wonderful, highly professional but also showing kindness and compassion which is essential for good patient care. As a front-line NHS worker myself, I know that we don’t always get the appreciation we deserve, but I want you all to know you are very appreciated by me and by many women like me. Keep up the amazing work you are doing!”

“I just wanted to give some positive feedback and to say thank you to the lovely ladies who I saw. I was very nervous as it was my first time having a mammogram. They were fabulous so professional, reassuring and friendly.”

“I attended for routine breast screening and I’m a recently retired GP and trainer, and I wanted to feedback how impressed I was with the service and the care I received. The whole experience from the letters and messages regarding appointment, the care, expertise and in particular the excellent communication skills of the Radiographer who did my screening was outstanding!”

“I should like to thank you all for the care you showed me when I was recently treated at the Jarvis Centre. I have now had my Lumpectomy and the outcome was very encouraging. I have two sessions of radiography booked for the beginning of January and then hopefully my treatment at the hospital will be complete. I had wonderful care there and am so grateful to all those who made this ‘bumpy road’ such a relatively smooth ride. Thank you for the referral and your kindness with my consultations with you.”

“I attended a routine mammogram. I heard there was traffic so left earlier, but was in the car park by 9.10am for my 9.30am appointment. I found the unit easily and virtually went straight in. Both ladies I saw were lovely and the actual mammogram wasn’t as uncomfortable as previous ones! I was back at my car by 9.25am so the parking was free as I was under 20 minutes! A huge thank you from me for the professionalism and efficiency of your staff.”

“To all the lovely staff at the Jarvis Centre, I underwent two biopsies, one ultrasound and a mammogram. I would like to thank everyone that day who saw and treated and cared for me. The procedures were far more comfortable than I anticipated and everyone was so kind and professional. I returned to get my results, and I am so grateful that I live in a country where I have free access to breast screening. From my recall, to biopsies, to follow ups, they have all been swift, yet calm and I have full confidence in all of you whatever the outcome.”

“I am writing to say a big thank you to the team at the Jarvis Centre. Being diagnosed with breast cancer isn’t easy, but you were frank, knowledgeable and compassionate. I found it very helpful the way that you answered my questions honestly and I was prepared for what my biopsies were going to reveal. The two weeks you have to wait are difficult but I used to time to find out about breast cancer. From the start I was reassured by you. You were exactly correct in your predictions and I was very relieved to not need a mastectomy and to luckily have clear lymph nodes too. The skill required to assess the mammograms and the ultrasound to communicate the results to the patient and to get biopsies is amazing and life saving. I’m very grateful to you and the very kind nurses.