Why Screen for Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Scottish women, accounting for 29.6% of female cancer cases in 2006. There were 4,079 new cases diagnosed in women in Scotland in 2006 and 1,062 deaths from the disease in 2007.
Although incidence of breast cancer in Scotland has increased by 9.6% from 1996 to 2006 the mortality rate has decreased by 12% from 1997 to 2007. Well over 100,000 women are now screened for breast cancer every year. In 2007/08 the attendance rate was 75.6% and over 1,000 cancers were detected.
Breast Cancer Screening Programme
The Scottish Breast Screening Programme (SBSP) has been running since 1988 with national coverage achieved in 1991. The SBSP provides routine screening every 3 years for all eligible women aged between 50 and 70. Women over 70 can still be screened by self-referring themselves to their local breast screening unit. The upper age range for breast screening was previously 64. An extension to this age range was phased in across Scotland from 2003 and is now in place throughout the country.
Women are invited to attend either a breast screening unit, of which there are 6, one each in Inverness, Aberdeen, Irvine, Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh, or attend one of the 18 mobile screening units in operation around the country.
Results are by post and usually within 3 weeks. The women's GP is also informed of the outcome. A few women may require further tests and will be invited to attend an assessment clinic at the screening centre. Most of these women will then be reassured and will be invited back for their next screening in 3 years. For women diagnosed with breast cancer finding it early gives the best change of successful treatment. The treatment options are fully discussed and arrangements are made for referral to a specialist breast team.
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