Yahoo News Steph McGovern emotional as she has mammogram live on TV
A special episode of Steph's Packed Lunch focussed on cancer
Steph McGovern was moved to tears as she had a mammogram live on TV.
The presenter had the procedure as part of a special episode of her Channel 4 show Steph's Packed Lunch that focussed on cancer.
McGovern undertook the screening process to try and encourage more women to have mammograms which can save lives.
While undergoing the procedure, which checks for signs of breast cancer, in a screening truck outside the show's studio, McGovern said: "I should say as well, the tears in my eyes are not because this is in any way painful, it’s really not, it’s the magnitude of it all, you’re saving lives by doing this.
“I mean, it is uncomfortable, but that is not painful at all, honestly, it's like someone just squeezing you."
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She added: “This technology is so important for saving lives and actually the reality is you come in, you'll meet someone lovely at reception, you get a nice private place to change, and you go through this and it takes minutes and that’s it done.”
Fear, anxiety and embarrassment are some of the main barriers preventing women from going for their breast screening.
To demystify and demonstrate what to expect, @StephLunch was examined live on today's #StephsPackedLunch #TalkingAboutCancer pic.twitter.com/5gLAvHuYdq— Steph's Packed Lunch (@PackedLunchC4) June 26, 2023
Later in the show, McGovern opened up about why she got so emotional during the screening: “It is hard to talk about, you could see me then getting emotional because I was remembering the person I lost, a close friend, who helped me get to where I am in my career and even starting sets me off, it’s so deep and emotional.”
A mammogram is a procedure which screens for breast cancer and all women in the UK automatically get an invite between the ages of 50 and 53. Women also receive follow-up screenings every three years until they turn 71.
During the appointment, two x-rays are performed on each breast which are held still by two pieces of plastic. The screening usually takes around 30 minutes.
The special episode of Steph's Packed Lunch also featured contributions from Kelsey Parker who lost her husband Tom to brain cancer and The Dark Knight actor Colin McFarlane who recently announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Watch below: Steph McGovern has cervical smear test live on TV in bid to raise cancer awareness
