Lothians women less likely to be screened for breast cancer

Published on Thursday 30 April 2009 09:41

WOMEN in the Lothians are less likely to get screened for breast cancer than those in other parts of Scotland, it has emerged.

Latest figures have shown that, while the position has improved gradually over the years, the Lothians still lags behind every health board in the country except Glasgow and the Highlands when it comes to encouraging women to get checked for breast cancer.

Analysis of the last three years reveals that 73.8 per cent of women accepted the invitation to be screened, below the national average of 76.5 per cent.

It has led to charities and politicians calling for authorities to do more to appeal to women, but also on the individuals themselves to attend for the "straightforward and painless" process.

They added that, given how treatable breast cancer has become, provided it is caught early, it is imperative that women go for regular tests.

Some experts have attributed the Lothians' slack performance on poverty, given that, as a whole, there is more deprivation across the region than in most other areas, despite the stereotypical image of the health-conscious, wealthy city woman.

Labour's health spokeswoman, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said she had recently been for a screening and that there was no reason for people to be apprehensive about the process.

She said: "It is all very discreet, you're given a little room to change in and the staff couldn't be more helpful and informative.

"It is clearly easier for some people than others to do this.

"I think younger women who have recently had children or are more used to going to the doctor find it easier and aren't concerned about dignity, whereas older women are maybe a bit more hesitant.

"Deprivation is an issue as well. I'm sure in poorer areas you would find a worse take-up than elsewhere.

"Perhaps getting people who have done it to go and talk to those who haven't to reassure them how easy it is would be an idea.

"I sometimes think the messages are reaching the people who are already minded to go for screening."

The statistics released by ISD Scotland also showed uptake of cervical screening was below average in the Lothians.

These figures may be slightly misleading, however, as the timescale won't have taken into account the "Jade Goody effect", or the rise in awareness credited to the HPV vaccination campaign among schoolgirls.

Elspeth Atkinson, the director of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "Survival rates for breast cancer are increasing every year, and that is partly a result of breast screening.

"The earlier that the cancer is detected, the greater the chance there is of it being treated successfully.

"Around 1000 women in Scotland die from breast cancer every year, so it is extremely important that women go for breast screening and are aware of the symptoms of breast cancer."