Women are avoiding mammograms because they are worried about being topless, think it will hurt, or haven’t found a lump, an NHS survey has found.
Seeking to boost breast screening attendance to 80 per cent of those eligible next year, NHS England says this would mean almost a million more women receive mammograms, compared to 2022/23, with more than 7,500 additional breast cancers detected at an earlier stage, when they are more treatable.
It has launched a campaign calling for women to accept their invitations for breast screening, featuring personal letters and videos from breast cancer survivors including presenter Julia Bradbury and journalist Victoria Derbyshire.
A survey of 2,000 women for the NHS revealed 83 per cent would attend a breast screening appointment if they were invited but 16 per cent either would not go or were not sure.
Among those who said they would not attend, 21 per cent said they would be embarrassed to be topless in front of someone else.
Almost one in five said they would not get a mammogram because they don’t have potential breast cancer symptoms, like having found a lump.
This is despite screening being for healthy women, who have no signs of breast cancer, to catch the disease early when it has not yet caused symptoms.
Just over 18 per cent of women said they have heard mammograms are painful, so would prefer not to have one.
Women are avoiding mammograms because they are worried about being topless, think it will hurt, or haven’t found a lump, an NHS survey has found. Pictured: File photo
A survey of 2,000 women for the NHS revealed 83 per cent would attend a breast screening appointment if they were invited but 16 per cent either would not go or were not sure. Pictured: File photo
Among those who said they would not attend, 21 per cent said they would be embarrassed to be topless in front of someone else. Pictured: File photo
In her open letter to women invited for screening, Ms Derbyshire said: ‘I’ve had breast screening multiple times. For me it was painless and I was happy to be screened – my motivation was to make sure any irregularities were picked up, because the earlier breast cancer is detected, the greater the chance of survival.
‘When I was diagnosed, I thought I wouldn’t get to see my two little boys grow up (then aged eight and 11).
‘I thought I wouldn’t get to grow old with my partner, Mark.
‘I’m still here thanks to the skill of the NHS – 2025 will be ten years since I was diagnosed.
‘Breast screening might just help save your life. Please go.’
All women aged between 50 and 70 are invited for breast screening every three years, with the first invitation coming between the age of 50 and 53.
Figures show that a third of women asked for screening do not attend.
That rises to almost half of women who are invited for the first time.
NHS England has launched a campaign calling for women to accept their invitations for breast screening, featuring personal letters and videos from breast cancer survivors, including journalist Victoria Derbyshire (pictured)
Presenter Julia Bradbury (pictured) is also taking part in the campaign, which is supported by charity Breast Cancer Now
The survey found 13 per cent of women who would ignore an invitation for breast screening would be anxious about receiving a positive result for cancer.
Julia Bradbury’s open letter states: ‘Not being screened doesn’t mean the cancer goes away.
‘I know from personal experience that it’s always better to know.’
She added: ‘If I hadn’t been diagnosed, I may not be here today. So I’m asking you to please take up this important invitation, even if you have no symptoms.’
The campaign, supported by charity Breast Cancer Now, launched with a new advert across TV, radio and online.
Among those encouraging more women to be screened were Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas and Coronation Street actor Sally Dynevor.
A tip from health professionals involved in the campaign is to wear a top with separate trousers or a skirt, to avoid having to undress fully.
NHS national cancer director, Dame Cally Palmer, said: ‘Breast screening detects breast cancers earlier and saves lives – but we know for many women there can be lots of reasons why they might be reluctant to come forward, or why it’s not top of the priority list in their very busy lives.
‘That’s why the NHS has today launched its first-ever campaign to support more women to make the most of breast screening and to address some of the misgivings and misconceptions they might have.’
As part of efforts to increase uptake of breast screening, the NHS is launching a new ‘ping and book’ service, with women getting alerts to their phones via the NHS App to remind them they are due or overdue an appointment.
