The Bradford breast cancer surgeon learned more about mobile screening services in Ilkley, three years after a ward councillor was diagnosed as the result of a test at a mobile unit.

Dr Rick Linforth, lead consultant breast surgeon at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, was shown around the breast screening service van at Booth’s supermarket on Tuesday.

Dr Linforth joined Ilkley ward councillor, Anne Hawkesworth, in a visit seeing how the van works, and how the scheme is funded now and in the future.

The event coincided with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Coun Hawkesworth presented a donation of £1,000 for The Haven, a network of support centres for people who have experienced the physical and emotional effects of breast cancer.

The money was raised at the Dolce Vita open air concert on The Grove in August, part of the Ilkley Summer Festival, of which Coun Hawkesworth is a director.

Her own illness was detected as a result of her visiting a mobile screening unit, and she campaigns for other women to make sure they get their own health checks.

Coun Hawkesworth said: “I have experienced first-hand the effect a diagnosis of breast cancer can have on a person’s life and I would encourage anyone who gets notification of a screening appointment to attend when the van visits their area. I am aware some people intentionally miss appointments due to the fear of being diagnosed, but the chances of survival are much increased by an early diagnosis.”