2.06 million3 which is the highest volume ever screened in a single year – and includes those not responding directly to an invite.
The latest NHS Breast Screening Programme, England 2021-22 report also found that uptake was highest in the South East at 67.7% and lowest in London at 50.4%.
Screening is vital in helping the NHS identify cancers at an earlier stage and in 2021-2022 the NHS breast screening programme led to cancers being detected in 20,152 women across England, which otherwise may have been diagnosed and treated at a later stage.
New national figures on Cancer Survival in England, also published today, show that 91% of women diagnosed at an early stage of breast cancer, where the tumour is small (stage 1), have a survival rate of at least five years.
The five-year survival rate for diagnosis at a late stage, where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (stage 4), is 39%.
NHS director of vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: “Screening is an effective way to detect cancers at an earlier stage and it is in part thanks to our national breast screening programme that survival rates for breast cancer are so high.
“Today’s figures show more than 20,000 women were diagnosed and able to get treatment because they attended breast screening check-ups last year, yet nearly four in ten women aren’t taking up their screening invite and booking an appointment.
“We are sending out more breast screening invitations than ever before in an effort to save even more lives and we want more women to take up their screening offer when invited, so please if you have been invited – book an appointment at your local screening service or mobile unit as soon as possible.”
Dame Cally Palmer, national cancer director for NHS England, said: “Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and the risk increases with age, but it also has one of the highest survival rates, thanks to advances in NHS screening and treatment.”
“We know lives are saved when cancers are caught early and I would urge anyone who has received a breast screening invitation – even if you received the invite weeks or months ago – to make an appointment – it could save your life.
“It’s also important that women of all ages are aware of their breast health and know how to check themselves for cancer symptoms – this means getting to know how your breasts look and feel at different times and telling your doctor straight away if you notice any unusual changes.”
