The Southend MPs have put on a united front in support of Breast Cancer Now’s campaign to ensure that their breast screening programmes maximises its potential to prevent death from breast cancer as a matter of urgency.
The NHS breast screening programme is a major public health campaign and has been instrumental to breast cancer survival rates doubling over the last forty years.
However, the programme has reached a tipping point, with record low levels of women taking up their invitation to get screened and thousands still living with undiagnosed breast cancer as a result.
Between April 2021 and March 2022, in Southend West and Rochford and Southend East the percentage of women attending breast screenings when invited was 62.9%. These figures, whilst improving, are significantly lower than the minimum national standard of 70%.
With over 3 million women eligible for breast screening in England every year and a third of all breast cancers found through the scheme, the Southend MPs are supporting the charity’s campaign and urging women to sign up to the scheme as soon as possible.
Anna said,
“This is such an important cause which Sir James and I are both united on, urging women across our constituencies to get themselves checked and catch breast cancer earlier, so life changing treatment can start sooner.”
Sir James Duddridge KCMG MP said,
“I am pleased to be working alongside Anna on this issue. Catching breast cancer early is key, and I would encourage women across Southend and Rochford to attend when invited to a screening.”
