Has the NHS let down older women over breast cancer screening?

IT IS a real blunder by the NHS that older women between 2009 and early 2018 did not receive an invitation to have routine breast screening (Mail). I am sure this will cause many to panic. I have always had routine screening and in 2015, aged 70, when I realised I’d not received my usual appointment, I rang the local hospital and made arrangements. Luckily, I’ve always kept my own record of hospital visits and results.

CHRIS HARLIN, Brinsley, Notts. MY successful mastectomy was four years ago. I’m concerned the NHs is taking all the flak for the breast screening blunder. surely it’s up to us to look after our own health and check our screening is up to date, be it breast, bowel or, for men, prostate. following my diagnosis, the breast screening service acted quickly when friends requested mammograms after 70. My treatment at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth has been wonderful. MARILYN CHURCHILL,

Fareham, Hants.

THE failure to call women aged 68 to 71 for routine screening is appalling and may have shortened the lives of some. Having been secretary to a breast consultant, I knew that after the age of 71 I could request further screening, and I did so. It is my responsibility to apply again every three years if I want further reassurance.

Name supplied, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. THE phone number for the breast screening service is available online or at your GP surgery, so why not call if your mammogram is overdue? I have done this on a couple of occasions when I have missed screening due to moving house and it was straightforward to make an appointment.

Miss D. CLARKE, Spalding, Lincs. I AM sick of the demonisation of the NHS. It has many faults — too many managers, and nurses and doctors unable to communicate properly — but why the furore over breast screening? Women should accept responsibility for their own health care. I am in my 70s, so I keep an eye on my own and my husband’s healthcare, phoning to make appointments for bowel screening, prostate tests and breast screening. I certainly know how important this is: my eldest daughter had a mastectomy after a routine mammogram picked up breast cancer and my grandmother died aged 47 because there were no such things as scans in their 40s.

SUSAN SEAMAN, Hereford. I WAS born in 1941. Woman were advised there would be no automatic invitation to screening after 70, but we were still entitled to the service. My last invitation was 2010. I arranged appointments for 2013, 2016 and will arrange one for 2019. In the first instance, our bodies are our responsibility. Mrs JACQUELINE WEBB, address supplied.