Stalybridge woman tells how routine mammogram saved her life

A Stalybridge woman who has raised tens of thousands of pounds for cancer charities is urging others not to ignore their breast screening invitations, after her own diagnosis came completely out of the blue.

Joanne Hinds, 62, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2021 after attending a routine mammogram appointment at the height of the COVID pandemic. She had no symptoms and didn’t have a lump, but the screening picked up something that could easily have gone unnoticed.

“I never for one moment thought there was anything wrong,” Joanne said. “I will be forever grateful that I went to that appointment. It saved my life.”

Joanne, who works for Tameside Council in the Shared Lives Team at Copley, has volunteered at Willow Wood Hospice for over 15 years alongside her husband Chris. Together, they’ve raised around £110,000 through coffee mornings, quiz nights and music events. She’s also a member of Bosom Buddies, which is a local support group for people affected by breast cancer – and earlier this year helped produce a ‘Calendar Girls’-style fundraiser that raised over £5,500 for Macmillan Tameside and Prevent Breast Cancer.

Her diagnosis and subsequent journey led her to write a book, Mrs H’s Storm in a D Cup, which has been praised for its honesty, humour and comfort to others going through treatment. All proceeds were donated to charities including Mossley Cancer Committee, Prevent Breast Cancer, Willow Wood Hospice and the Macmillan Unit at Tameside.

Joanne’s message is simple: “If you get that letter inviting you for a mammogram, don’t put it in the ‘too hard to do’ drawer. My mantra is: If in doubt, check it out.”

Breast screening is offered every three years to women aged 50 to 71 who are registered with a GP as female. It uses X-rays called mammograms to detect cancers that are too small to see or feel. The process takes just a few minutes and is carried out by specialist female staff. Screening saves around 1,300 lives in the UK each year.

Cllr Taf Sharif, Tameside Council Executive Member for Population Health and Wellbeing, said: “Jo isn’t just an inspiration, she’s a friend whose courage and compassion have touched so many lives. Her story is a powerful reminder of why breast screening matters. It’s quick, it’s free, and it saves lives. We’re incredibly proud of the work she’s done to raise awareness and support others, and we urge everyone who’s eligible to attend their appointment when invited.”

Joanne said: “I’ve met so many women who say my book helped ease their anxiety. I just want more people to know how important it is to go. It’s quick, it’s free, and it could save your life.”

To find out more about breast screening and what to expect, visit the NHS website.