Routine Breast Screening Numbers Down

With over 48,000 women being diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK, Portsmouth Hospitals Trust is urging women in the Cosham and Paulsgrove area to attend regular screening.

Portsmouth Hospitals Trust will be issuing letters in early August inviting women aged 50-70 in these areas to attend a routine screen. 

The last screen for this area was carried out 3 years ago with 3,025 women invited from the local area. 

72% of the women invited attended, which fell short of the national target for attendance of 80%.

This round of screening found a total of seventeen cancers emphasising the importance of attending. 

This year the Trust will be inviting approximately 3,945 women and hopes that a higher number of attendees will come forward. 

Programme Manager of the Breast Screening Service at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Jo Helsdon comments: “It is incredibly important that women attend these appointments. 

“Finding breast cancer early makes it more treatable, so whether this is your first time or you've been screened before, please look out for your invitation over the coming months.” 

For most cancers relative survival decreases with age but breast cancer is unusual in that women diagnosed in their 50s and 60s have consistently higher survival rates.

Jo continues: “If you are unable to make your appointment, please do contact us to re-arrange. We don’t want anyone to miss out on their opportunity to be screened.”