The NHS sent 3.17 million invitations to women in the last year (2021-2022) and while the highest number ever were screened, nearly four in 10 did not take up the potentially lifesaving offer, the NHS said. Approximately 1.97 million women ages 50 to 70 (62.3%) attended screening appointments (within 6 months of invitation) out of the 3.17 million invited. Uptake was highest in the South East at 67.7% and lowest in London at 50.4%.

Screening is vital in helping the NHS identify cancers at an earlier stage, the NHS said. In 2021-2022, the NHS breast screening program led to cancers being detected in 20,152 women across England, which otherwise may have been diagnosed and treated at a later stage.