KILLER RISK OF SCOTS POSTCODE CANCER LOTTERY

HUNDREDS of women could face a fatal breast cancer diagnosis because of a ‘postcode lottery’ for vital tests.

Fewer than half of Scotland’s screening units are seeing people on time, while a backlog means patients are facing waits of nearly six months.

The Scottish Government has admitted the scale of the problem, with ministers blaming the shocking delays on staffing or equipment issues, ‘adverse weather’ and an increase in the eligibility for the tests.

Yesterday, campaigners raised concerns about the ‘postcode lottery’ that is leaving women waiting – hold-ups that could mean patients will need aggressive treatment or even facing a deadly diagnosis.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie warned: ‘it is unacceptable that women in Scotland are facing a postcode lottery for breast screening. These long waits could be fatal. The SnP must get a grip on this.’

Breast Cancer now’s Ashleigh Simpson said: ‘The delays are unacceptable and creating a concerning disparity in screening.’

only nine out of 25 breast cancer units are seeing women on time or ahead of

schedule, according to figures from Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick.

The others report serious delays, with women in some areas facing waits of up to six months.

Miss Baillie said: ‘Women diagnosed with breast cancer stand the best chance of surviving if the disease is diagnosed and treated early on. These long waits could be fatal for hundreds of women.’

Last year, the Scottish Government apologised for an IT failure that meant hundreds were denied mammograms.

A total of 1,761 patients were contacted after they missed appointments when letters were not sent out – with some last having the tests six years previously.

These women have now been invited for screening but officials are still working to identify anyone who may have died before receiving the letter.

Mammograms are offered to women aged 50 to 70 every three years.

The ‘postcode lottery’ for breast screening has been exposed in a report published in response to a parliamentary question posed by Miss Baillie.

It shows that of the 25 static and mobile screening units in Scotland, only six are seeing women ahead of schedule and three have appointments on time.

Women living in the South-West face the longest waits, with one unit running with a 23-week delay and another seven weeks behind schedule. A static unit in this area is ahead of schedule.

In the South-East, all six have delays of between three and 13 weeks. In the East, there is a seven-week wait at the one static centre while in the West, four units are two to three weeks behind schedule. In the North and North-East there are waits of two to four weeks at three units.

Breast Cancer Now’s Miss Simpson said: ‘Screening units must identify the reasons behind the delays and take swift action to ensure all eligible women are routinely invited for screening.’

Breast Cancer Care Scotland’s Angela Harris warned that long delays can ‘cause intense anxiety and concern’ for women.

She added: ‘It’s incredibly worrying to hear there are some women waiting up to six months for breast screening, which often means simpler, more effective treatment... any problems must be tackled and sufficient resources made available.’

Mr FitzPatrick was unable to say how many women had been affected by the backlog. He said delays were ‘multifactorial’, blaming ‘increases in the eligible population to be invited, changes at GP practice level, staffing or equipment issues and adverse weather events’.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Delays are monitored and reported to National Services Division, which manages and commissions the programme, and screening centres are required to submit plans outlining steps they will take to reduce delays.’

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