BURNLEY MP Peter Pike is backing a new campaign by the UK's leading breast cancer charity, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, to highlight the need for women in the area aged 50 and over to attend their breast screening appointments when invited.

The call comes following new research by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer and Breakthrough, with the support of Kodak's Health Imaging Group, which revealed that not all women are attending their breast screening appointments.

Every three years all women aged between 50 and 65 are invited to attend a screening appointment, with this being extended to women aged up to 70 by the end of the year.

But in the report, published this month, one in six women admit to not attending their appointment because the time was not convenient. As a result, these women cancel their appointment, but never rearrange for another time.

As a result of the findings, the All-Party Group, together with Breakthrough Breast Cancer, are calling on the Health Secretary to look at ways to make the screening service more flexible and accessible to the women it was set up to serve.

They also want improved public education to promote the importance of attending appointments, and make people more aware of the common signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

Labour backbencher Mr Pike said: "Breast cancer is now the UK's most common cancer, with one in nine women being diagnosed with breast cancer at some stage in their life.

"The key to treating breast cancer, as with any cancer, is early diagnosis. The earlier it is detected the better your chances of survival.

"That is why I urge every women aged over 50 to keep their appointments. If the first appointment you are offered is not suitable, please don't just cancel the appointment, get your diary out and ask for a new one at a time that suits you.

"I know that the screening is not very comfortable, but it only takes a minute -- and one minute for your life is surely worth it."