Breast and Cerv Ical Cancer Deaths Down Screening Plays Key Role in Winning Battle Against Disease

MORE women are surviving breast cancer while the rate of cervical cancer has also fallen considerably, according to the latest figures from the national screening programmes.

The number of women aged 55 to 69 dying from breast cancer fell by more than a quarter between 1990 and 2003.

Figures released yesterday by the Scottish Breast Screening Programme (SBSP) showed the mortality rate had dropped by 27.6-per cent over the13-year period.

Figures for cervical screening, which detects pre-cancerous cells, also suggested progress in the national battle against cancer, with a 36.5-per cent reduction in the incidence rate from 1986 to 2001.

Carol Colquhoun, national co-ordinator of the NHS screening programme, said the trends gave cause for optimism, but not complacency.

She continued: “The thing about breast cancer is that we cannot determine which factor has had the most impact. It could be better screening, better drug regimes or increased awareness.

Several factors were involved, she said, whereas in the reduction of cervical cancer it was known the majority of that was due to screening.

Marion Harris, a survivor of breast cancer, said she was encouraged by the historic drop in mortality rates – proof, she believes of the progress being made in both cancer treatment and attitudes towards the disease.

Having been clear of the disease for two years, the 44-yearold supply teacher from Gourock, Inverclyde, said she was well aware of the differences between battling breast cancer now and doing so a generation ago.

“I know older ladies who have had breast cancer. They know they are some of the lucky few. Whereas now, I feel as if I’m one of the lucky many.

“I found that in my parents’ generation ‘cancer’ is still a dirty word. They wouldn’t speak about it, or only in hushed voices.

“It is strange that there could be a set of breasts in the newspaper every day, yet breast cancer wouldn’t be talked about.

Now, I think there is more awareness and people should know that you don’t hang about when you find a lump.

She added: “The NHS were very good in their follow-up and they keep a very close eye on you. I think the NHS treatment is working well. They’re doing all the right things, so don’t stop.”

In the case of cervical cancer, about 3000 women are diagnosed with the disease in the UK each year and more than 1000 die. It is the second most common cancer found in UKwomen under the age of 25 and, worldwide, it is the second most common cause of cancer death in females.

The universal screening programme has been in place since 1996, and all women aged between 25 and 49 should be offered a smear test every three years.

Professor Peter Sasieni, epidemiologist at Cancer Research UK, praised the role screening has played in saving lives.

He said: “Organised cervical screening in the United Kingdom has been extremely effective in preventing cervical cancer and reducing the number of women dying from the disease.

“Women who go for screening regularly reduce their risk of suffering from the disease by 80-per cent or more.”

The new method for taking and testing cervical samples – called liquid based cytology – which improves the efficiency of the process and reduces the number of “unsatisfactory” smear results, has played a significant part in tackling cervical cancer.

The Scottish Executive has invested pounds-2.75m in the technique and has promised to invest a further pounds-5.5m into the development of a new computerised system for reporting test results.

A third screening programme – in which men and women aged 50-69 are invited to be tested for bowel cancer – is being piloted by the health service in Tayside, Grampian and Fife.