Breast cancer deaths halved by screening

Friday 30th December 2005, 12:00AM GMT.

SCREENING of women aged over 50 has reduced breast cancer deaths in the Island by 50 per cent.

Statistics released by the service show that since 1990, when women between 50 and 69 started to be screened every two years, 200 invasive breast cancers have been detected – half of which were still smaller than a 5p coin.

Screening is saving at least three women a year from dying from the disease.

A further 60 invasive breast cancers have been detected by other means which were not picked up despite screening.

These were interval cancers which develop between mammograms.

Despite this success, the team who operate the service are concerned that around 1,000 women in the 50-to-69 age group have not come forward for screening.

Consultant radiologist Dr Patric Nisbet said that the team were hoping to begin a major effort in February to contact these women and bring them into the service.

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