Women who miss their first breast cancer screening appointment are 40% more likely to die from the disease, according to new research.
A study from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, published in the British Medical Journal, tracked about 500,000 women who received their first screening invitation between 1991 and 2020. They were monitored for up to 25 years.
The findings show that almost one in three women (32%) did not attend their first mammogram. Those who skipped it were less likely to attend later screenings, more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage, and had higher death rates from breast cancer – 9.9 deaths per 1,000 over 25 years compared with seven among those screened.
The overall incidence of breast cancer was similar between groups, suggesting the higher mortality risk stemmed from delayed detection rather than increased likelihood of developing the disease.
US experts commenting on the study said a first screening visit is “far more than a short-term health check” and should be seen as a “long-term investment in breast health and survival”.
In England, women are invited for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 71, with the first invitation by age 53. NHS data shows 70% of eligible women were up to date with screening as of March 2024, leaving almost a third who were not.
Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, called the number missing their first appointment “worryingly high” and urged action to make screenings more accessible.
The study comes amid wider warnings: global cancer deaths are forecast to rise nearly 75% by 2050, driven by ageing populations, with many cases linked to preventable risks such as smoking and poor diet.
In more positive news, scientists have identified a protein, SPP1, that could be targeted by drugs to stop pancreatic cancer spreading, potentially offering new hope for patients.
