MUCH recent coverage of breast cancer has questioned the value of breast screening.

We feel this may have tainted women's views and may be putting lives at risk.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer would like to take this opportunity to reassure women about screening and reiterate the importance of getting screened.

The NHS Breast Screening Programme is estimated to save the lives of around 1,250 women each year.

Currently women aged 50-64 are routinely offered a mammogram every three years and screening is available on request to women over 65 who are most at risk of developing the disease.

Research shows minimising delays in breast cancer treatment could improve survival rates.

If all patients could receive treatment within three months of noticing a symptom, an additional 500 lives could be saved each year in the UK alone.

Breast screening can help this by detecting cancer at an early stage.

Despite this, only three-quarters of those eligible take advantage of screening.

While breast screening is not infallible and cannot at present detect all signs of cancer, we urge women to attend their screening appointments.

Judith Church MP, Secretary

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on

Breast Cancer

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.