Jennifer Garner documents her mammogram to make it 'less scary' for women

We might be reaching the end of Breast Cancer Awareness month but the need to highlight the importance of regular mammograms has never been so important.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in Ireland, with one in eight women diagnosed during their lifetime.

In a bid to raise awareness worldwide, Jennifer Garner took to Instagram earlier this month to document herself getting a mammogram at a hospital clinic and urging people to do the same.

"Every October I have a standing date for a mammogram," she captioned the video.

For me, having the appointment on the books makes it routine, like the dentist

Reassuring her followers, she added: "I know it's scary, sisters, but just do it— the next best thing to an all-clear is early detection”

The light-hearted video, full of funny faces and mischief, followed through to the moment she received the results from her doctor.

"Okay, your mammogram looks perfect," her doctor says, as they both give a thumbs-up to the camera.

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Jennifer was praised by her fans for using her platform to help such an important issue, with one writing: “Preach!! I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer 15 years ago. Caught through a mammogram. 15 years cancer free”

While another wrote: "Thank you for this post! I was diagnosed with breast cancer following my first mammogram at age 39. It's uncomfortable and unpleasant, but so important!”

A third added: "After losing one of my best friends to breast cancer when she was only forty years old, I go every October to check myself. This is such an important post - thank you!”