The breast screening programme has been extended to Gozo, while, in Malta, a second mammography machine will be purchased to increase the screening rate, Health Minister Josseph Cassar said today.

Speaking on the first anniversary of the opening of the breast screening centre in Valletta, Dr Cassar welcomed the fact that 68.8 per cent of women aged between 50 and 60 who had been invited for screening had actually turned up.

He said that of the 7,075 who underwent the mammogram, 687 were recalled for further investigation. 45 women were found to have early stages of cancer, with a big possibility of recovery.

Dr Cassar praised the personnel involved for the high quality of service which, he said, included the possibility of family doctors receiving the mammogram results in electronic format.

Dr Cassar also thanked NGOs who are active in this sector, particularly Action for Breast Cancer Foundation and the Breast Care Support Group.

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