I feared I'd never see my boys grow up ..don't miss the chance to catch it early

TV's Victoria on how early mammogram helped saved her

- MARTIN BAGOT

ALMOST half of women are missing out on life-saving breast cancer screening by not showing up after receiving their initial invite.

And in a bid to boost the numbers, Victoria Derbyshire has joined a host of stars backing the first-ever NHS mammogram awareness campaign.

The BBC Newsnight presenter was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and urged others to take up the offer of X-rays to detect the disease early and improve the chances of survival.

NHS England data reveals 46.3% of women do not turn up for their first mammogram invite, which they are sent between the ages of 50 and 53.

Victoria, 56, joins celebs including breast cancer survivor Julia Bradbury, 54, who are writing "unofficial" invitations to women for screening.

Hers reads: "When I was diagnosed I thought I wouldn't get to see my two little boys grow up, who were then aged eight and 11. I thought I wouldn't get to grow old with my partner Mark.

"I'm still here thanks to the skill of the NHS and 2025 will be 10 years since I was diagnosed. Breast screening might just help save your life. Please go.

"I've had breast screening multiple times. For me it was painless.