TUESDAY'S news about the 20 women who have been mis-diagnosed through breast screening in Manchester has once again set alarm bells ringing.

Mammography is crucial in diagnosing early breast cancer, as patients have to rely on this in order to be accurately diagnosed.

Following diagnosis, a patient often has to make the gruelling decision between having a lumpectomy or complete mastectomy, and such decisions are difficult enough without wondering whether a mis-diagnosis was made in the first place. A patient should be able to have implicit trust in the service.

Women expect the best treatment possible when faced with breast cancer, and I believe that in Blackburn we have a breast cancer service which is second to none, with the best surgeons, specialist nurses and excellent support network.

It is disappointing to hear that in Manchester someone has failed to meet the high standards of the service.

Thankfully, we have the media to bring this failure to the attention of the public, and quite rightly so, as we need to know that when a mistake is made, everything possible is done for the patients involved and to ensure such mistakes never happen again.

I pray that those 20 women are alive and well, and that their breast cancer was caught in the early stages.

I would urge all women over 50 to take up the offer of mammography and encourage younger women to check their breasts regularly, and if they have the slightest doubts to see their GP.

RUTH LOFT Blackburn Breast Care Support Group, Ryburn Avenue, Blackburn.