NHS Breast Screening Programme saves 1,400 lives a year
Around one and a half million women are now screened in the UK each year and, with the expected number of women in this age band expected to increase by 20% between 2005 and 2025, the demand for the service will continue to stretch the NHS.
From the age of 50 or above, the NHS invites every woman for a mammogram every 3 years until the age of 70.
After the age of 70, women are not routinely invited for a mammogram but are encouraged to request one every 3 years.
If you feel you are at high risk of breast cancer, if you have a family history for example, your GP will be able to advise if you are a candidate for more frequent monitoring.
Most recent figures show that 75.4% of women invited for screening in 2006 attended. But that still means that 1 in 4 women are not presenting for their regular screen. Most common reasons given for non-attendance are fear, known issues or lack of time but women need to realise that screening is a powerful tool in taking control of their own breast awareness.
For more information http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/breastscreen/
