Half the women called for breast cancer screening since the programme was set up have gone for testing, a percentage Health Minister Joe Cassar considers positive.

It took 10 years to reach 50 per cent in the UK, he said. The government set up the breast screening programme for women aged between 50 and 59 years five months ago.

Dr Cassar said the early stages of cancer were detected in seven out of every 1,000 women screened - again highlighting the success of the programme. Even if cancer was detected in a single woman, it would be a success, he said.

About 30,000 women will be called for screening over a period of three years.

Dr Cassar said the National Cancer Strategy, drafted with the assistance of the Institut National du Cancer in Paris - one of the most innovative institutions for the prevention and cure of the disease - would soon be launched.

The minister was addressing the Convention of Maltese Living Abroad - the second in 10 years. Yesterday's session was focused on elderly Maltese migrants and their specific problems, particularly in Australia.

He said the life expectancy at birth of the Maltese was higher than more developed countries, with the average for women being 82 years and that for men being 77.

The demographic shifts in society were placing a heavier burden on health care services due to the increasing demand, the minister said, mentioning among the initiatives the drafting of an outreach programme for the elderly in the community, led by a multidisciplinary team of professionals.