A THIRD of women did not attend breast cancer screening last year and hundreds of tumours are being missed, a charity warns.
Breast Cancer Now said it is “alarming” that take-up of the free NHS scans is so low.
Figures show only 65 per cent of invitations for over-50s in England were accepted in 2022-23, with 1.93million women attending out of 2.98m invited.
This was higher than the record low of 62 per cent in 2020 but still lower than every year before the Covid pandemic.
Only half of those invited for the first time attended their appointment.
Uptake has been below the NHS’ target of 70 per cent for four years and Breast Cancer Now estimates thousands of cancers have been missed.
There would have been 1,311 more cancer cases found if the 70 per cent target was hit, it said, and 3,758 more if uptake hit 80 per cent.
Chief executive Baroness Delyth Morgan said: “We desperately need more eligible women to be screened and for screening units to be supported to reach more women and help save more lives from the disease.
“These disappointing figures show the government is failing to take action to boost screening attendance.”
Women are invited to free breast cancer screening at least every three years between the ages of 50 and 71.
The mammograms are offered to people with no symptoms to see if there are signs of a tumour developing.
Breast cancer is the most common form of the disease in the UK with 56,000 cases per year and 12,000 deaths.
Catching cancer early gives us the best chance at successful treatment
Dr Louise Wilkinson
Dr Louise Wilkinson, NHS advisor for breast screening, said: “Around one in seven women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.
“Detecting it at an early stage helps give people the best chance of successful treatment.
“These figures show that 18,942 women were diagnosed and able to seek treatment because they attended breast screening check-ups last year.
“We know that lives are saved when cancers are caught early.”
Health Minister Maria Caulfield added: “It is vital that women come forward for breast screening when invited, as early cancer diagnosis can make all the difference.
“We’re making it as easy as possible to attend appointments and screening rates are rising, but there are still too many women missing out.
“I urge everyone receiving that text invite or that letter to book a check-up – it could be lifesaving.”
