Boosting Breast Cancer Screening: Lessons from Bassetlaw and beyond

The Bench Report

This episode discusses the critical importance of breast cancer screening for saving lives through early detection. While breast cancer mortality rates have fallen since the 1970s, around 11,400 women and 85 men still die annually in the UK. The NHS offers free screening for women aged 50-70. However, attendance has dropped significantly, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Barriers include fear, embarrassment, accessibility issues in rural areas, and lack of awareness. Efforts are underway nationally and locally, like the "Bassetlaw love your boobs" campaign, to encourage more people to get checked and attend appointments.

Key Takeaways:

• Early detection of breast cancer through screening significantly improves treatment effectiveness and survival rates. The five-year survival rate is nearly 98% if found at stage one, but drops to under 27% at stage four.
• The NHS invites women aged 50 to 71 for a mammogram every three years. Mammograms can find cancer before it is felt as a lump.
• Breast screening uptake across the UK dropped after the COVID-19 pandemic, with many areas not returning to pre-pandemic levels. Bassetlaw saw attendance drop to below 50% from 78% before the pandemic.
• Factors like fear, embarrassment, and difficulty accessing services in rural areas can prevent people from getting screened.
• Breast cancer can affect men too; almost 400 men are diagnosed annually.
• People of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage have a higher risk due to the BRCA gene mutation. Genetic testing is available.

Definitions:

• Mammogram: An essential tool in breast cancer screening. It is an X-ray that can identify breast cancer before it is large enough to be felt as a lump.
• BRCA gene mutation: A genetic change known to significantly increase the risk of developing breast cancer. People of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage have a higher chance of carrying this mutation.

Discussion: What specific steps do you think communities, healthcare providers, and individuals could take to help more people attend their screening appointments?

Source: Breast Cancer Screening: Bassetlaw
Volume 768: debated on Monday 9 June

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