Women should accept breast screening invitations as it could save their lives, according to the head of the National Health Screening Programme.

While welcoming a take-up of almost 60 per cent, Nadine Delicata said it would be a “shame” not to accept to be screened.

“Unlike other cancers, breast cancer – especially if caught in the early stages – can be treated and the patient can be cured,” Dr Delicata explained.

Nearly six in 10 women have attended the government screening programme since it was launched in October 2009.

Of the 46,000 women aged 50 and over offered screening between then and this July, 27,000 accepted – 193 were found to have cancer.

The figures were listed by Europa Donna, in an event to promote its annual walk organised to mark Breast Health Day on October 13.

When asked whether she was satisfied with the take-up, Dr Delicata said the figures had risen from 40 per cent when the programme began. Now, more than 1,000 women aged 50 to 59 were screened every month.

Many women I know got it and it’s like a ticking bomb – I don’t want to know

“However, I will be more satisfied if more women accepted,” she said.

One possible reason why women refused, or were reluctant, to go for a mammogram was “fear of the unknown”.

Others were concerned because they had never had a mammogram and some went for screening at private health clinics.

Asked whether women were worried about tests that incorrectly resulted positive, Dr Delicata said the clinic always preferred to “err on the side of caution” and called back women to ensure there were no risks.

Those who were asked to undergo a second testing always turned up.

Fear of the unknown and the “knowledge that it was bound to happen” were two main concerns of a 59-year-old woman who received her invitation to go for screening.

“It’s like I’m just waiting to find out that I have breast cancer. Many women I know got it and it’s like a ticking bomb,” the woman said, adding that she did not want to “find out”.

Earlier this year, Health Ministry Godfrey Farrugia said the Government intended to extend the breast screening programme to those above 60 years and also to increase its frequency from once every three years to once every two years.

Breast cancer fact box

Breast cancer is one of the more frequently diagnosed forms of cancer and is second only to lung cancer as the most prevalent cause of death in women.

Each year, it is estimated that more than 220,000 women in the US are diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 die.

Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,150 males will be diagnosed and about 410 will die as a result each year.

The condition has no symptoms when the tumour is small and most treatable and it is important for women to follow recommended screening guidelines.

Early detection to improve outcome and survival remains key to breast cancer control and includes screening and self-examination.

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