Breast Cancer Care: Early detection is vital
Wednesday, 09 Jan 2008 09:45
Early detection of breast cancer through screening is vital to reduce deaths from the disease, according to Breast Cancer Care.
The charity's comments come in response to a report assessing the impact of the NHS screening programme in East Anglia, which revealed a 48 per cent reduction in deaths from breast cancer.
"This research highlights the crucial role that the NHS breast screening service plays in reducing deaths from breast cancer in the UK, and is particularly welcome following the increase in age range for breast screening announced in the Cancer Reform Strategy," said Tara Beaumont, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Care.
"Early detection is vital as it can improve treatment options and lead to a more successful outcome, as these figures have shown."
She added: "As well as accepting invitations to regular breast screening, it is vital that women of any age are breast aware throughout their life, by being familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel so that any changes unusual for them can be picked up quickly and reported to their doctor without delay."
