Decreased detection of breast cancer screening due to Covid suspension

Authorities attributed this to the suspension of the screening program between March and August 2020, when no new invitations to the screening were sent.

During the three years prior to the pandemic, an average of 259,040 women were invited to breast screening each year from 18/18/2017 to 20/20/2019.

The number of invitations issued fell from over 100,000 to 151,977 in 2020/21.

An average of 187,650 people were invited each year in the three years prior to the pandemic, which decreased to 114,136 in 2020/21.

public health Scotland “In the last decade, 52.7% of breast cancer registries in women aged 50-69 years have been detected through breast screening programs.

“But the Covid-19 pandemic suspended women invited to screen, reducing this number to 39%.”

Despite the pandemic, 675,381 women aged 50-70 were invited to book regular breast screening from 2018/19 to 2020/21.

On average, there are 494,653 people in front, which is a recruitment rate of 73.2%, which is above the minimum acceptable standard of 70% attendance.

However, in Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities, only 61.2% of women participated in regular screening, compared to 80.8% of the wealthiest women.

At NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, only 68.5% of women underwent regular screening from 2018/19 to 2020/21. This is the only place in Scotland with an average of less than 70%, but in 2020/21 73.8% of women participated.

Tory’s MSP Sue Webber said the numbers were “deeply concerned.”

She states: “Although Covid’s impact on breast cancer screening is clear, we cannot afford to continue this worrying trend.

“The most shocking thing is that women in our most disadvantaged communities are most suffering from not receiving promises, even if the SNP government is serious about tackling health inequality. For example, we need to be serious about involving women in these areas. ”

Jackie Baillie, Deputy of the Scottish Labor Party, said:

“Despite the incredible efforts of the NHS staff, the lack of SNP leadership is at the full cost of it.

“We have a time bomb of cancer cases. Very many cases are late identified and are likely to be completely undetected.

“Our NHS is committed to life support. We can’t wait to take any further action.”

Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Scotland, said:

“This all means that people in need are anxious and waiting, but their loved ones are anxiously watching and can’t do anything.

“The Scottish government needs to be aware of the diagnosis and treatment of cancer as an urgent issue, starting with new pushes to ensure that women in every corner of Scotland are screened. ”

Kate Seymour, head of advocacy for Scotland’s McMillan cancer support, said that although the 70% goal was achieved, “Today’s statistics do not screen more than a quarter of eligible people. Scotland was far less likely to be screened than any other Scotland. ”

She states: “We know that early diagnosis and timely treatment give cancer patients the best possible results. Effective screening is one of the best ways to ensure that.

“Currently, screening services will be resumed, screening ability will be maintained at optimal levels, screening invitations will be booked, and everyone with breast cancer will be diagnosed and have access to lifesaving. It’s important. The treatment they need. ”

Dr. Jodie Moffat, Head of Early Diagnosis at Cancer Research UK, said: This route in 2020.

“Breast screening has been resumed and is being performed. We are closely watching what happens to the data for the more recent period.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said:

“We will continue to address the inequality of all cancer screening programs through a £ 2 million investment and ongoing work to improve breast screening programs.

“As a result of the pandemic, self-introductions for women over the age of 72 have been suspended since March 2020, allowing them to prioritize the abilities of women aged 50 to 70, who are recommended for screening. We are working towards reintroducing our self-introduction screening program. ”