'Get tested' urges woman with incurable cancer

A woman with incurable breast cancer is urging women to go for screenings when they are invited.

Lorna Pirozzolo, 41, said she the island's new opt-out service for breast screenings was "absolutely fantastic" and she encouraged "everybody to go".

From 2025 women aged between 50 and 70 will be automatically invited for an examination using a new £255,000 mammography machine at the Enid Quenault Health and Wellbeing Centre.

Ms Pirozzolo, who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2018 and then stage four in 2019, said she understood some women were worried about what could be revealed, but added: "Finding it sooner is better."

She said she had spoken to women who believed "if I don't go for screening, nothing will be found" but she said she told them "it's there whether you've been screened or not".

"Breast cancer, now especially, caught early is so very survivable," she said.

"It doesn't make sense to go on and wait until you're symptomatic to have something be found.

"So please, please go for your screening when you're called."

Previously women needed to register for breast screening when they turned 50.

Ms Pirozzolo has had chemotherapy and immunotherapy after she found a 2.4 inch (6cm) lump in her breast six years ago.

While stage four cancer is termed incurable, it is treatable, she explained.

She said she was "making the most of life while I've still got it" but women "shouldn't be like me if you can help it".

"If you can avoid chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy and have what is a relatively routine, small surgery - it's still a big deal for the person - but if you can avoid the rest of it, go for it."

She added even if they are being screened every year, "the fundamental thing that people need to do is to check themselves every month".

Ms Pirozzolo set up the website cancer.je during the Covid pandemic to direct other patients to services and offer advice for off-island support.

She has also been a member of Jersey's cancer strategy steering group.

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