Eastenders star Barbara Windsor has opened a new breast unit in Ealing Hospital, managed by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and run by West of London Breast Screening Service.

The ‘Carry On’ star met staff at the new unit, which replaces the mobile vans previously used. It features state-of-the-art digital technology which provides better images than the analogue technology used before and means radiographers can review them faster. Women can now book appointments up to three months in advance.

She said: “People shouldn’t be scared of what they don’t know about their health. This unit has the latest equipment, screening can be done in minutes and it’s digital. NHS hospitals are the best in the world.”

In the UK women aged between 50-70 years old are invited for screening once every three years. But the borough of Ealing has one of the lowest levels of women attending breast screening in London and uptake is declining.

Currently the NHS Breast Screening Programme saves an estimated 1400 lives each year in England.

For more information please visit www.westlondonbreastscreening.nhs.uk