A new film that aims to help more women with learning disabilities to access breast screening has been made featuring women who live locally to Bath and North East Somerset.

The film is based on real experiences of women with learning disabilities told from their own point of view and hopes to give more information to people with learning disabilities, their families and carers about the important NHS breast screening programme.

Nationally, there is evidence that women with learning disabilities are not well informed about breast cancer and that uptake of breast screening in this group is low. One in every two women with a learning disability receives breast screening, but figures for the general population are two in three.

The film has been produced by Biggerhouse Film in a partnership with B&NES Council, NHS England and NHS Improvement, the Avon Breast Screening Programme and North Bristol Trust. The women were supported throughout the making of the film by Virgin Care Services and Learning Disability Primary Care Liaison Nurses. It is aimed at women with learning disabilities who are eligible for the NHS breast screening programme, aged from fifty to their 71st birthday.

Councillor Rob Appleyard, cabinet member for Adult Services, said: “I hope the fact that women with learning difficulties who share their own experiences in the film will take the fear out of breast screening for others and will help their families and carers

to support them in making that crucial appointment.”

The film is being promoted nationally by Public Health England and through local learning disability networks. It can be viewed at www.dothetest.org

Readers can also visit: https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/ bristol-breast-care-centre/ avon-breast-screening