Decline in breast cancer screening

According to figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), the proportion of women in England taking up their initial invitation for breast cancer screening has decreased significantly over the past decade.

The data showed the proportion of women aged 50-70 who were screened fell to 63.3 per cent in 2014-15, from 70.1 per cent in 2004-5.

Currently, the NHS Breast Screening Programme involves inviting women women for checks between the ages of 50-53, with checks performed every three years until the age of 70. There are also pilots running at various screening centres where routine checks are extended to women aged 47-49 and 71-73.

Of the 2.8 million women who were invited for screening, 2.11 million women arranged to come in for a test.

Pritpal Rayat, of the HSCIC, said: "These statistics show the falling proportion of women at the younger end of the programme's target group who are being screened after they get their first invitation."

Dr Anne Mackie, Public Health England's director of screening, said: "It is encouraging that more than 75 per cent of women are having regular breast screening. However, there has been a downward trend over the last four years.

"The fall in attendance is most notable in women receiving their first invitation and we are working hard with our NHS and community colleagues to understand why this might be and make the programme accessible to all women who wish to be screened."