Cancers going undetected as millions of women miss 'vital' breast screening checks

Women aged between 50 and 70 are being urged not to ignore their breast-screening appointments, as new figures reveal over a third missed the potentially life-saving checks last year.

More than two million eligible women have missed out on screenings in the past three years. The uses , a type of X-ray, to detect too tiny to be seen or felt.

Women are initially called up for screening between the ages of 50 and 53 and are then invited back every three years until they reach 71. Analysis of NHS England data shows that of the 13.05 million invitations sent out from 2018/19 to 2022/23, only 8.59 million appointments were attended within six months.

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Although there was a slight uptick in attendance last year, 35.4% still did not attend their screening. With an estimated 2.18 million eligible women not screened in the last three years, NHS England's national speciality adviser for breast screening, Dr Louise Wilkinson, said: "Breast screening saves lives by allowing cancers to be identified and treated earlier ­– in fact, discovering breast cancer at the earliest stage may give you a 98% chance of surviving for five years or more."

"Screening can often pick up breast cancer before you can even see or feel any changes to your breasts yourself and your mammographer will do everything she can to make the experience as comfortable as possible for you, which is why I would urge anyone invited to take up the offer."

Kathryn Cowley, 58, credits a routine mammogram in 2022 for detecting an abnormality that led to her breast cancer diagnosis. Following surgery and radiotherapy, she stresses the importance of attending appointments.

"My breast cancer journey has a positive outcome and it’s very lucky that I attended my regular breast screening," Ms Cowley said. "I have now had my one-year follow-up mammogram and I was very relieved that this was normal. Attending routine screening is vital – I was fortunate that I attended my appointment and did not put it off."

Her mammogram detected the cancer before it was palpable, which she describes as a "game changer". The NHS advises women to continue checking their breasts regularly, even after a mammogram, using the "touch, look, check" (TLC) method.

Claire Rowney, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, said: "These figures serve as a timely reminder, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, that far too many people are missing out on the vital breast screening that saves lives from breast cancer."

"The stark reality is that thousands of women miss having their breast cancer detected each year. We look forward to working with NHS England to ensure breast screening services are accessible and convenient for everyone who is eligible."

"We encourage eligible women to attend their breast screening appointments when invited and to regularly check their breasts to get to ‘know their normal’ and get any new or unusual breast changes checked out by a GP, including between screening appointments."

Health minister Andrew Gwynne stated: "When it comes to fighting cancer, every second counts. We know that early diagnosis leads to more effective treatment, and in many cases, can save lives."

"The Government is working alongside NHS England to make the shift from hospital to community, making getting tested easier than ever. I would urge anyone who is invited for a screening appointment to attend."