WIRRAL women are risking their lives by failing to attend vital breast screening appointments because they are too embarrassed.

A survey undertaken to find our why women in Birkenhead and New Ferry missed appointments for routine screening at the Wirral Breast Centre at Clatterbridge Hospital found that some women didn't like to undress in front of a stranger.

Others were concerned about being hurt during the examination while some patients did not fully understand what the examination entailed.

Sue Drew, deputy director of public health for Birkenhead and Wallasey Primary Care Trust, said: "We have listened to what women say about screening and have made changes to make the service even more accessible and welcoming.

"We want to reassure patients that they will always be treated with dignity, sensitivity and in total privacy when they visit the centre. We believe it is important to present breast screening as a positive experience and one that can, and does, save lives."

Patients are urged to ring the centre on 0151 482 7661 if they wish to change their appointment or to make a new one if they had forgotten their original one.