By Kieran Webster
Copyright glasgowlive
A Burnside mum has told of how a routine breast cancer screening helped save her life, after a ‘hidden tumour’ was discovered by medics.
Jackie Wilson, 56, recently celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary with the trip of a lifetime to Bali and Singapore. But it may never have happened if she hadn’t attended her routine screening appointment last year.
In March 2024, Jackie went to her appointment at the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) Breast Screening Clinic in Nelson Mandela Place.
Within a week, she was called back for a biopsy and quickly referred to Gartnavel Hospital where she received the news that a three-centimetre lump had been found deep in her breast. It was cancer.
She says doctors told her that despite regularly checking her breasts at home, the lump was so deep she would not have felt it.
Jackie said: “I was shocked.
“I check my breasts regularly at home, but I was told the lump was so deep I wouldn’t have felt it. That’s why breast screening is so important.”
Jackie underwent six months of chemotherapy. Post-treatment scans revealed the lump had disappeared, and her surgeon proceeded with surgery to remove the surrounding tissue, followed by radiotherapy in January.
“I was back at work by March,” Jackie said. “I couldn’t believe how fortunate I was to have caught it early. If I hadn’t gone for screening, the outcome could have been very different.”
According to the NHS, one in eight women in Scotland will be diagnosed with breast cancer. However, when it’s found early, the chances of successful treatment are much higher.
In fact, women are five times more likely to survive. Breast screening alone saves around 130 lives in Scotland every year. Breast screening helps detect cancers that are too small to see or feel. That’s why every woman who receives an invitation is encouraged to attend. It could be lifesaving.
Jackie says she is now feeling fantastic and is enjoying life again. She is also urging others to go to their breast screening appointments.
She added: “We celebrated our anniversary in style, flying Business Class to Bali and Singapore. It was amazing. I’m so thankful to my husband, daughter, and everyone who supported me. We got through it with humour. That’s just who we are!
“They (the NHS staff) were incredible. Kind, professional, and supportive every step of the way.
“Go for your breast screening. It saved my life—and it could save yours too. It’s not scary, and the staff are brilliant. Please don’t miss out.”
Eligible women living in Greater Glasgow and Clyde will be invited to the breast screening centre in Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow City Centre, or to one of the mobile units that visits local areas throughout they year.
The mobile unit, often called the screening bus, is a welcoming, private, and accessible space, designed to make visits as comfortable and supportive as possible.
Each appointment involves a mammogram, four quick X-rays, two of each breast, carried out by a specially trained female mammographer. The process only takes a few minutes, and there is time beforehand to ask questions or share any concerns.
More information can be found on the NHS website here.
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