Women who skip their first breast cancer screening appointment are at a 40% higher risk of dying from the disease, according to new research from Sweden.
Scientists at the Karolinska Institute analysed data from around 500,000 women invited for their first screening between 1991 and 2020. Published in the British Medical Journal, the study tracked participants for up to 25 years.
The findings showed that nearly one in three women (32%) missed their first mammogram. Those who did not attend were more likely to later skip screenings, be diagnosed at an advanced stage, and die from breast cancer – with 9.9 deaths per 1,000 women compared with seven among those screened.
Importantly, the overall rate of breast cancer was similar between groups, suggesting that delayed detection – not higher incidence – explained the difference in mortality.
Researchers concluded: “First screening non-participants had a 40% higher breast cancer mortality risk than participants, persisting over 25 years.”
In a linked editorial, US experts said a first screening was about “far more than a short-term health check”, describing attendance as a “long-term investment in breast health and survival”.
In England, women are invited for screenings from age 50 to 71, with all expected to receive their first invitation by 53. But NHS data shows that as of March 2024, nearly one in three eligible women were not up to date.
Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, called the figures “worrying” and urged action to make screenings easier and more accessible.
The findings come as global cancer deaths are forecast to rise by nearly 75% to 18.6 million by 2050, with new cases expected to climb to 30.5 million. Researchers attribute the trend to ageing populations and lifestyle risks but also note that 42% of deaths are linked to preventable factors such as smoking, poor diet and high blood sugar.
In more positive news, scientists in London have identified a protein, SPP1, as a potential drug target for pancreatic cancer. Blocking it could prevent the disease from spreading and improve survival, raising hopes for new treatments against one of the deadliest cancers.
