TODAY the Journal is jointly launching a new appeal to fund a much-needed breast cancer unit at Salisbury District Hospital.

Together with the Stars Appeal, we aim to raise £750,000 to provide a quicker and more dignified service to the 4,500 local women and a small number of men who are treated each year.

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and the number of cases being treated in Salisbury has increased by 40 per cent in the last two years.

The dedicated facilities will mean most care will be delivered in one place with no need for patients to visit other departments in the hospital, repeatedly dressing and undressing for procedures.

And patients will receive their diagnosis on the same day, avoiding anxious waits for results. Clinics will be run jointly with oncologists and plastic reconstructive surgeons, meaning patients will no longer need to visit the hospital as frequently.

The Journal is backing the £750,000 fundraising campaign because, whilst Salisbury District Hospital’s specialist breast care team offer excellent care, they urgently need a dedicated unit to provide an even better, quicker and more dignified service.

The new unit will provide the best possible environment for patients with purpose-built waiting, diagnostic and treatment rooms.

Counselling rooms will be available to patients who have just received a cancer diagnosis or who need support.

The new breast unit will also mean quicker care and treatment.

The dedicated facilities will mean most care will be delivered in one place with no need for patients to visit other departments in the hospital, repeatedly dressing and undressing for procedures.

Clinics will be run jointly with oncologists and plastic reconstructive surgeons, meaning patients will no longer need to visit the hospital as frequently.

“Our patients tell us that not knowing if they have breast cancer is one of the hardest things to face,”

said consultant breast surgeon Anna Aertssen.

“A dedicated breast unit will keep this anxious time to a minimum, as we will be able to assess patients and give their results on the same day and, if needed, allow us to move forward with their treatment as soon as possible.”

The Stars Appeal is asking local people to support the campaign to raise the £750,000 needed for the dedicated breast unit as soon as possible.

Fundraising has already had a great start with over £190,000 collected since the end of the Stars Appeal’s last major campaign.

After the success of the CT scanner appeal last year, we know the people of Salisbury can do it.