Breast cancer detection rates increase but coverage varies
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《英国医生杂志》
New methods of screening for breast cancer have led to an increase in the number of cancers detected in England, according to latest statistics from the Department of Health. But the data show that there is still wide geographical variation in the proportion of eligible women who have been screened in the past three years.
In 2003-4, the number of breast cancers detected increased by more than 14% compared with 2002-3. Of the 1.4 million women screened in England in 2003-4, 11 227 had cancer detected and treated compared with 9848 in 2002-3.
Nearly half of the cancers detected in the past year were smaller cancers that could have been picked up only through screening. Most (1.2 million) of the women screened were aged 50-64, and these women had nearly 8400 of the diagnosed cancers.
The Department of Health puts the increase in detection rates down to better screening methods, which now include two views of the breast instead of just one. Since December 2004, 95% of units have been using this technique.
The government spent an extra ￡11.4m ($21.9m; 16.5m) on improving equipment and has invested a further ￡11.5m extending the programme to women aged 65-70.
The health secretary, John Reid, said, "We know that detecting cancer early helps save lives. Nearly half of these wouldn't have been detected at all without screening."
At 31 March 2004, coverage (the proportion of eligible women who have been screened at least once in the previous three years) was 74.9% for women aged 53-64 who were resident in England. Coverage was substantially lower in London (64%), however, in part because of the transitory nature of the population, say officials.
In 247 of the 303 primary care organisations, coverage was 70% or higher, but in eight primary care organisations it was lower than 50%.
Four primary care organisations with coverage below 50% were in southwest England. Torbay in South Devon had the lowest coverage at 27.4%. This was due to difficulties recruiting radiologists and radiographers, said Julietta Patnick, director of the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes.
"We have fully supported South Devon in recruiting staff, and a new South Devon service was phased in from July 2004, reaching full capacity in November 2004. We have been assured that South Devon will have caught up with the backlog by this time next year, and people will be back to their usual three year cycle of screening.
"We offer our apologies to women whose screening cycle has been delayed. If a woman is concerned about her risk of developing breast cancer or her symptoms, we do advise that she talk to her GP."
The national programme offers free breast screening every three years to women aged 50-70. Women aged 70 and older are not automatically called for screening but can arrange appointments if they wish.
By the end of 2003-4, about 40% of local breast screening units were inviting older women and full coverage is expected by 2005-6.(Lynn Eaton)
In 2003-4, the number of breast cancers detected increased by more than 14% compared with 2002-3. Of the 1.4 million women screened in England in 2003-4, 11 227 had cancer detected and treated compared with 9848 in 2002-3.
Nearly half of the cancers detected in the past year were smaller cancers that could have been picked up only through screening. Most (1.2 million) of the women screened were aged 50-64, and these women had nearly 8400 of the diagnosed cancers.
The Department of Health puts the increase in detection rates down to better screening methods, which now include two views of the breast instead of just one. Since December 2004, 95% of units have been using this technique.
The government spent an extra ￡11.4m ($21.9m; 16.5m) on improving equipment and has invested a further ￡11.5m extending the programme to women aged 65-70.
The health secretary, John Reid, said, "We know that detecting cancer early helps save lives. Nearly half of these wouldn't have been detected at all without screening."
At 31 March 2004, coverage (the proportion of eligible women who have been screened at least once in the previous three years) was 74.9% for women aged 53-64 who were resident in England. Coverage was substantially lower in London (64%), however, in part because of the transitory nature of the population, say officials.
In 247 of the 303 primary care organisations, coverage was 70% or higher, but in eight primary care organisations it was lower than 50%.
Four primary care organisations with coverage below 50% were in southwest England. Torbay in South Devon had the lowest coverage at 27.4%. This was due to difficulties recruiting radiologists and radiographers, said Julietta Patnick, director of the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes.
"We have fully supported South Devon in recruiting staff, and a new South Devon service was phased in from July 2004, reaching full capacity in November 2004. We have been assured that South Devon will have caught up with the backlog by this time next year, and people will be back to their usual three year cycle of screening.
"We offer our apologies to women whose screening cycle has been delayed. If a woman is concerned about her risk of developing breast cancer or her symptoms, we do advise that she talk to her GP."
The national programme offers free breast screening every three years to women aged 50-70. Women aged 70 and older are not automatically called for screening but can arrange appointments if they wish.
By the end of 2003-4, about 40% of local breast screening units were inviting older women and full coverage is expected by 2005-6.(Lynn Eaton)