More than 2 million women invited for breast screening
 Despite the number of women being offered screening for breast cancer climbing to more than 2 million each year, a smaller proportion are taking-up the invitation according to statistics published in the NHS Breast Screening Programme annual review.
The document presents the first set of statistics since the programme was extended to include women up to age 70 (previously those 50-64 years old were invited). The statistics show that:
- Despite the fact that all women over 50 are offered free routine breast screening, the percentage of women accepting their invitations has fallen to 74.6 per cent (from 75.2% in 2004/05);
- The number of very small cancers detected by the programme rose by 6.7 per cent from last year. These cancers are usually impossible to feel by hand, and would only be detected through screening;
- The total number of cancers detected increased by 5.7 per cent to 13,812.
Julietta Patnick, director, NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, said: "The number of women who self referred increased this year and we are now welcoming more than 46,000 women over 70 into the programme.
"While the number of women accepting their invitations has increased, it is disappointing to see that uptake rates have fallen and I would urge all women over 50 years of age to make an informed decision about attending."
Download the NHS Breast Screening Programme Annual Review 2006
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