Dorset is above the national average for routine breast screening, while the rest of England faced a drop in numbers.

The proportion of women aged 50-70 taking up routine breast screening rose by 0.2 per cent to 73.3 per cent in 2016-17.

The figure although higher than the 73.1 per cent in in 2015-16, is drop from the 76.3 per cent in 2006-07. 

However,this figure is below the South West average of 73.7 per cent.

On a national scale, the numbers have dropped to 71.1 per cent, down from 72.1 per cent the previous year and down from 73.6 per cent in 2006-07.

It is at the lowest rate over the 10 year period.

The Breast Screening Programme England, 2016-17 report published on Wednesday by NHS Digital shows that:

  • 2.59 million women aged 50-70 were invited for breast screening in England during 2016-17. This compares with 2.48 million in 2015-16 and 2.07 million in 2006-07.
  • Of these, 1.84 million women were screened by the programme in 2016-17. This compares with 1.79 million in 2015-16 and 1.52 million in 2006-07.

According to the report, uptake by women aged 50-70 fell in all seven reporting regions compared to the previous year.

Coverage, which is measured for women aged 53-70 remained static for the third year in a row at 75.4 per cent (4.48 million of 5.95 million) in 2016-17, and remains above the NHS Cancer Screening Programme's minimum standard of 70 per cent.

Dorset is above national and regional average for coverage, with 80.1 per cent compared to the South West average of 77.9 per cent.

This number is down from 2015-16's 80.4 per cent and 78.4 per cent respectively, and down from 80.5 per cent and 78.9 per cent in 2013-14.

Under the NHS Breast Screening Programme, eligible women will usually receive their first routing invitation for breast cancer screening between the ages of 50 and 53 and will normally be invited every three years until they are 70.

Of all women with cancers detected through screening in 2016-17, 41.5 per cent (7,600 women) had invasive but small cancers which are less than 15mm in diameter and are usually too small to detect by hand.

This compares with 41.2 per cent (7,500 women) in 2015-16.

Dr Mike Creagh-Barry, consultant radiologist at Poole Hospital and director of the breast screening service in Dorset said:

"It is encouraging to see that the percentage of women eligible in Dorset who have been scanned within the past three years is significantly higher than the national average.

"I would encourage any woman who receives a letter inviting them to a screening appointment to attend, and for anyone concerned about breast cancer to contact their GP- don't wait to be offered screening.

"Screening is also available for women above the age of invitation, currently 73-years-old or over, by simply telephoning the unit for an appointment."

The Dorset Breast Screening Unit (DBSU) is run by Poole hospital, and is responsible for screening approximately 96,000 women in the county.

The majority of screenings is performed on mobile units, which travel to 20 different sites around the county.

For more information about breast screening, search Dorset breast screening unit on Google.