Take-up of Screening Appointments

In some areas of England more than a third of eligible women do not take up their breast screening invitation.¹ Reasons for this vary.

Innovative projects such as Breakthrough’s health promotion work in Camden seek to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer amongst women and to increase women's understanding of the benefits of breast awareness and attending breast screening.

Currently, the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) invites women between the ages of 50 and 70 for breast screening every three years. Women over 70 may arrange screening through their GP or local screening unit.

In 2007 the Government, responding to Breakthrough’s Screening Saves Lives campaign, announced an extension to these age limits. By 2012, women aged 47 - 73 years will receive invites.

This is good news. Screening women before they reach 50 improves the chances of detecting breast cancer early, therefore improving the chances of a successful outcome. The additional screening after 70 offers a reassurance to women in the higher risk age bracket.

Quite simply, breast screening saves lives. So, it’s essential that no one misses out.

Take action by becoming a member of Breakthrough CAN and support our national campaigns.

For more information about Breakthrough’s Screening Saves Lives campaign contact Lizzie Cook, Senior Campaigns Officer at lizziec@breakthrough.org.uk or call 020 7025 0277.

^{1 Breast screening Programme, England, 2007-08 NHS Information Centre for Health & Social Care, January 2009}