Breast screening has saved the lives of at least 33 women this year as they were found to have the early stages of cancer and are now being treated.

They were among 3,294 women, over the age of 50, who accepted an invitation to attend for screening at the National Breast Screening Centre, at Lascaris Wharf, this year.

In the first half of this year, about 5,358 women were asked to undergo a mammogram at the clinic that had a 61 per cent turnout, the Health Ministry said.

Since the €1.6 million centre was opened in October 2009, 11,485 women were screened and 83 were found to have the early stages of breast cancer.

Health Minister Joe Cassar urged all women who were invited to undergo screening to accept the offer. “When we save the life of a woman, we are often saving the life of a mother or grandmother. We are also saving a family,” Dr Cassar said.

The centre is screening women born in 1955. For more information call 2122 7470/1.