Screening Saves Lives
Breast screening is important as it can detect cancer at the earliest possible stage when no other symptoms are obvious – it's a vital part of early diagnosis. It is estimated that 1,400 lives are saved in England each year thanks to the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP).
Currently, invitations for NHS breast screening are sent to women aged 50 to 70 every three years. Beyond this age women are still entitled to free breast screening but need to make their own appointments.
Breakthrough's Screening Saves Lives campaign focuses on ensuring high quality breast screening services for all eligible women and encouraging women to attend their screening appointments.
What do we want to see?
The Cancer Reform Strategy (CRS), published in December 2007, has made a number of commitments related to breast screening in England and the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP:
- Integration of familial breast screening into the NHSBSP
- Implementation of digital mammography across the NHSBSP
- The extension of the NHSBSP to include women aged 47-73
We want to see year on year investment in the NHS Breast Screening Programme to make sure that improvements are implemented consistently across England, maximising the quality and effectiveness of screening and offering fair access for all women.
