The biggest shake-up in breast cancer screening for thirty years

First mammogram at 40. Gene test to get a personal risk score. And four-year gaps between checks for some women. Just three steps experts are exploring in ...

TOP cancer doctors are carrying out research that may lead to the most radical shake-up of the NHS breast screening programme since its launch more than 30 years ago. Trials have been launched in a bid to remedy long-running concerns that the system is prone to false alarms and misses cases in some women.

Although more research would be needed before NHS screening chiefs would consider issuing new advice, if studies prove successful, women could be invited for their first mammogram at the age of 40 – a decade earlier than they are now.

Instead of a single scan they would be offered a battery of tests to determine a personalised breast cancer risk score, with the results used to decide when they next attend a screening.

In trials currently underway, those