Screening for cancer

sir – We are lucky enough in this country to be summoned for periodic mammograms (Letters, May 4).

It would be immensely helpful if, on our last regular screening appointment before the age of 70, we could be given a really jolting reminder on a piece of red card to check our own bodies on the first of each month, and if something, or even a query, is found, to be responsible ourselves for contacting our GPS.

By the age of 70, one is so used to the regular screening system, that one might have got out of the habit of checking oneself.

I speak as one who had totally forgotten about checking, and yes I have breast cancer, aged 74. It was my fault not to have checked regularly. Jennifer Evans Yeovil, Somerset

sir – The real scandal is that women over the age of 70 (or 71) are not included in the breast screening programme. The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Sheila Dallas Llandovery, Carmarthenshire

sir – Here in east Cheshire we were told we would not be called back automatically when we reach 70, but we would be able to make an appointment for a mammogram every three years. I must admit it’s four years for me since my last one, and I am now prompted to make an appointment. Stella Mills Alderley Edge, Cheshire