Government criticised as breast screening rates continue to fall

Breast cancer screening rates in Scotland have continued to fall, new figures show, with four health boards failing to meet acceptable levels.

A total of 71.2 per cent of eligible women attended for routine screening in the three years covering 2015-16 to 201718. That is down from 71.7 per cent in the previous threeyear period, and lower than than 74.9 per cent achieved in 2008-9 to 2010-11.

Four health boards – NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Lothian and NHS Fife – failed to meet the minimum acceptable uptake standard of having at least 70 per cent of women aged between 50 and 70 years old take part in screening.

In Glasgow, where the rate was lowest, fewer than two thirds of women attended.

In the most deprived parts of Scotland less than three out of five women were screened.

Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs said: “This declining breast cancer screening rate is particularly concerning given that the earlier cancer is caught, the better the outcome.

“There cannot be any excuse for health boards not to meet this important screening target. The SNP Government must ensure that all women have access to early breast cancer screening, regardless of where they live.”

He demanded: “The SNP must not wait until more women’s lives are at risk, they must take steps to work with NHS boards and ensure screening programmes are working effectively now.”

Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said reversing the fall in breast screening rates must be a priority for Health Secretary Jeane Freeman.

Ms Lennon said: “Routine breast screening is crucial to catching cancer early and saving lives. That is why it is so disappointing to see that the uptake of breast screening is going backwards under the SNP.

“The country’s four largest health boards all failed to meet the minimum acceptable standard, and the poorest women are far less likely to attend these appointments than those from wealthier communities.

“Scotland needs to reverse this trend to save lives, and that should be a priority for the Health Secretary.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman welcomed that “uptake rates continue to exceed the Healthcare Improvement Scotland clinical standard for uptake of 70 per cent”.

She added: “To ensure we keeppacewithincreasingpopulation and changes in technology and lifestyles, a new review of breast screening will look at everything from invitation processes, technology and future requirements to further increase uptake of screening.