Carlos Solis
Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden tracked nearly half a million women over 25 years. They found that women who missed their first screening were more likely to skip subsequent screenings. That led to breast cancers being detected much later in those women, when treatment was less effective.
The study, reported by the Daily Mail, found that women who ignored their first screening had 9.9 deaths per 1,000 over 25 years, compared with 7 deaths per 1,000 among women who attended screening. That’s a substantial gap.
When and How
All women should receive their first invitation for a mammogram by age 53. For instance, the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK invites women for screening between the ages of 50 and 71.
However, as of spring 2024, only 70% of women living in the UK have taken up the offer. That means nearly one in three British women is missing this vital screening. These are alarming statistics, because mammograms can detect tumors at a very early stage—before they can even be felt.
Why the First Screening Saves Lives: Experts’ Views
A British Medical Journal article said the first screening acts as a “starting point” that helps shape a woman’s future health behavior. Missing the first screening makes it much more likely a woman will skip later ones. The authors argue that attending the first mammogram is not just a short-term check but a long-term investment in health.
Claire Rooney, director of the charity Breast Cancer Now, adds: “The more women who take advantage of screening, the more lives will be saved. This could be a real turning point in the fight against breast cancer.”
Care That Saves Lives
A mammogram takes just a few minutes but can save years of life. If a woman receives an invitation for screening, don’t delay. Breast cancer often develops without symptoms, and timely checks are the only way to detect it when treatment is most effective.
Photo: Unsplash
