Women Skipping Lifesaving Screenings Despite Cancer Detection Success
New figures reveal a concerning trend: nearly one in three women are not attending vital breast screening appointments, even as the program successfully identifies thousands of cancers annually. Health officials are urging women to prioritise these regular check-ups, emphasising that early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates.
In the 2024/25 financial year, NHS England saw 1.94 million women attend breast screening within six months of their invitation, a notable increase from 1.75 million the previous year. This heightened participation led to the detection of 19,291 breast cancer cases, equating to nine per 1,000 women screened. This represents a substantial 16 per cent rise from the 16,677 cases identified in 2023/24.
The Growing Concern Over Breast Fillers
This revelation comes amid a stark warning from Britain’s leading plastic surgeons. They are now calling for an immediate prohibition on synthetic fillers being injected into women’s breasts. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has labelled the increasingly popular procedure, often marketed as a quick “lunchtime boob job,” as carrying “unacceptable” risks. These risks include severe infections, disfigurement, and the formation of hardened scar tissue known as granulomas. Crucially, these granulomas can potentially obscure early signs of breast cancer on diagnostic scans, making timely detection more challenging.
BAAPS asserts there is “no justification whatsoever” for injecting dermal fillers into breast tissue. They deem any procedure that could potentially mask the early warning signs of cancer as “simply indefensible.” While a specific breast filler, Macrolane, was withdrawn from the market in 2012 due to safety concerns, surgeons report that similar products continue to be used today, often with minimal regulatory oversight.
In some instances, women have required extensive surgical interventions to have the filler material removed. These fillers are frequently promoted as a rapid, non-surgical solution for issues such as:
- Loss of volume after pregnancy.
- Sagging skin following weight loss injections.
- A perceived lack of fullness in the upper chest area.
However, BAAPS contends that the quantities typically injected do not result in significant size increases and that the cosmetic results often appear unnatural over time.
Nora Nugent, president of BAAPS, highlighted the biological significance of the breast beyond its aesthetic appeal. “The breast is not just cosmetic tissue; it is a gland with a biological function,” she stated. “Infections can prevent breastfeeding and cause lasting damage.” Nugent added, “Women are being sold the illusion of a quick fix. In reality, the aesthetic improvement is minimal, while the risks are very real.”
Understanding Breast Screening and Its Importance
Women aged between 50 and 71 are invited for breast screening every three years. These examinations, known as mammograms, are designed to detect cancers that are too small to be felt or seen.
Currently, approximately 71.8 per cent of eligible women are up-to-date with their screening appointments, marking an increase of 1.8 percentage points from the previous year. Encouragingly, attendance among women invited for screening for the very first time has also reached 63.6 per cent, the highest level recorded in a decade.
Dr. Harrison Carter, director of screening at NHS England, emphasised the life-saving potential of these screenings. “Breast screening can save lives,” he said. “With nearly 20,000 cancers detected early through screening last year, it’s encouraging to see more women attending, especially those invited for the first time, because making screening a habit can help protect your health for years to come.”
Despite the positive trends, Dr. Carter acknowledged that “much more still needs to be done” to encourage greater uptake. He noted that around three in ten women are still not taking up the screening offer. “If you receive an invitation, please don’t ignore it,” he urged. “It’s an appointment that could save your life.”
To bolster screening attendance, NHS England and its screening services are implementing strategies such as sending reminder text messages and expanding the deployment of mobile screening units to reach more communities.
Personal Stories Highlight the Critical Need for Screening
Philomena Ofodu, a 54-year-old woman, shared her experience of having stage two breast cancer detected through screening, admitting that she had almost dismissed her invitation. “Encouraging women to attend their breast screening appointment is something that I am extremely passionate about, as I know how much it matters,” she explained. “I’ve lost friends who might still be here if their cancer had been found earlier, and I very nearly ignored my own screening invitation, too. At the time, I didn’t want to disrupt a new job I loved, but that small delay could have cost me everything.”
Breast cancer is a significant health concern in the UK, affecting one in seven women and leading to over 44,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The consistent message from health professionals is clear: early detection through regular screening is paramount.
