A report by NHS England has revealed that more than a third of women did not attend their NHS breast screening appointments last year.
The new figures have prompted calls for women to take up the ‘potentially lifesaving offer’ to ensure the early detection and treatment of cancers.
According to the NHS Breast Screening Programme, England, 2022-23 report, only 64.65% of the nearly two million women aged 50 to 70-years-old invited for a screening took up the offer.
Dr Louise Wilkinson, consultant radiologist and National Specialist Advisor for Breast Screening at NHS England, said: “18,942 women were diagnosed and able to seek treatment because they attended breast screening check-ups last year.
“We know that lives are saved when cancers are caught early. I know life gets busy, but I would urge anyone who has received a breast screening invitation – even if you received the invite weeks or months ago – to put your health at the top of your to-do list and book an appointment at your local screening service or mobile unit.
“It could save your life.”
The report found that 35.4% of the women did not attend a mammography, with the figure rising to 46.3% for those who were being invited for the first time.
Cancers were detected in nearly 20,000 women screened in 2022/23 which otherwise may not have been diagnosed and treated until a later stage, NHS England said.
While the figures show a slight increase in uptake from 2021/22, healthcare professionals are joining the call urging women to attend their screening appointments.
The report comes after a £70 million Government investment in the Digital Transformation of Screening (DToS) initiative which plans to update screening services over the next three years.
The breast screening service will be one of the first to feel the effects of the initiative, allowing women to book online and over the phone, making it easier for them to manage their appointments.
A study by University of Oxford scientists last year found that women diagnosed with breast cancer today were two-thirds more likely to survive than they were 20 years ago.
The research found that, on average, women diagnosed with early breast cancer are 66% less likely to die from the disease now than they were in the last two decades.
Maria Caulfield, a minister in the health department, said: “It is vital that women come forward for breast screening as early cancer diagnosis can make all the difference.
“We’re making it as easy as possible to attend appointments and screening rates are rising, but there are still too many women missing out so I urge everyone receiving that text invite or that letter to book a check-up – it could be lifesaving.”
Featured image: Angiola Harry on Unsplash
