THOUSANDS more Merseyside women will be screened for breast cancer after a £2m cash injection.
Investment in the service is set to double during the next two years, extending the age group of women tested.
The screening programme currently serves an eligible population of 105,065 women aged 50 -70 in Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley.
But by 2012 women aged 47-73– an additional 33,000 people– will be screened.
Leonie Beavers, Director of Strategic Commissioning for Liverpool PCT said: “Cancer presents a major challenge in Liverpool and in some areas of the city the number of deaths is 59% higher than that experienced in England and Wales.
“We are determined to cut the number of deaths from cancer by 20% in under 75 year- olds, compared with 2004.
“This scheme is one way of us achieving that target and will compliment the other initiatives that we are running in the city to encourage lifestyle changes and the investment we have made to improve treatment services.”
Liverpool women are screened at a unit in Liverpool Women’s Hospital, whilst women in Sefton and Knowsley are invited to a mobile unit based throughout North Merseyside.
During 2006/07, 186 cancers were detected through the screening programme.
To sustain the programme further investment will be made in equipment, with the introduction of digital mammography by 2010 and more NHS staff will be employed to deliver the service.
