Record number of women are getting mammograms, but a third are still ignoring the crucial checkups

A record number of women are having breast screenings – but nearly a third are still ignoring invitations for the crucial checks.

An all-time high of 4.61million women in England are up to date with the tests, according to data released yesterday.

Women are automatically invited for screening between the ages of 50 and 53, and then every three years until they are 71. During the appointment, which usually takes 30 minutes, two X-rays – known as mammograms – are taken of each breast.

The coverage of eligible women screened in the past three years was 70 per cent in 2023/24, the highest since 2020. Annual uptake was also 70 per cent, up from 64.6 per cent in the previous 12 months and the highest since 2019.

Some 2.5million women were invited to book a test last year. Of those, 1.75million attended but 748,233 didn’t, according to the NHS. And almost one in four women invited for the first time did not take up an appointment.

Michelle Kane, director of screening at NHS England, said it was ‘encouraging’ that more women took up the invitation, but added: ‘There is still much more to do to reach more women and encourage them to come forward.’

An all-time high of 4.61million women in England are up to date with the tests, according to data released yesterday (File image)

Women are automatically invited for screening between the ages of 50 and 53, and then every three years until they are 71 (File image)

Claire Rowney at the Breast Cancer Now charity said: ‘Screening uptake has met the minimum 70 per cent standard for the first time in five years thanks to the tireless work of NHS staff. 

However, with data confirming there is still significant work to do to save more lives from breast cancer through screening, it’s vital we now build on this progress.’

The figures follow the launch of a campaign, backed by broadcasters Julia Bradbury and Victoria Derbyshire and Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas, encouraging women to attend screening.

Dame Cally Palmer, NHS England’s national cancer director, said: ‘The NHS is catching more cancers than ever at an earlier stage, when treatment has the best chance of success. 

‘Increasing uptake of breast screening is vital in helping us achieve that. There are a range of reasons why women don’t respond to invitations. Our campaign communicates the enormous benefits of attending.’