Breast screening
Find out about breast screening and the NHS Breast Screening Programme
Breast screening
2008 marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of breast screening throughout the UK. Screening is vital in the early detection of breast cancer. It is estimated that the screening programme saves thousands of lives every year.
To encourage the provision and take up of this service, Campaign has joined forces with other cancer charities to launch the Screening Matters initiative. This focuses on three major screening programmes, including breast screening.
There are four things the campaign wants the UK governments to commit to:
- Screen at least three million more people over the next five years
- Reduce the variation in screening across the UK
- Reach out to people eligible for screening who aren't taking part
- Provide the best possible screening programmes through funding, staffing and measuring success
The Screening Matters campaign covers the four nations of the UK. Within England, the Government recently committed to extend the NHS Breast Screening Programme to women aged 47-73 years old. This will provide nine screening rounds and will introduce urgent two week referrals for all women with suspected breast cancer. The Government aims to fully implement this commitment by 2012
Each devolved government has control over their own health systems, and their screening programmes differ slightly. Both Wales and Scotland currently screen women between the ages of 50 and 70. In Northern Ireland, breast screening currently covers women aged 50-64. However last January Health Minister Michael McGimpsey MLA announced that this will be extended to include women up to 70 years of age. This will begin in 2008/09 and be fully implemented by March 2012.
For more information on the Screening Matters campaign and to get involved visit www.cancer.org.uk
Find out more about the NHS Breast Screening Programme
Find out more about the Charity's current campaigns
