In Spring 2025, Breast Cancer Voices took part in a study which helped researchers understand what factors affect whether people attended their breast screening appointments.
What’s the project about?
Breast screening can help people get diagnosed with breast cancer earlier, which is important in improving survival rates. The NHS England Breast Screening Programme helps prevent around 1,300 deaths a year.
However, over the past few years, fewer women are attending their breast screening appointment when they’re invited. In 2022-2023, 3 million women were invited for a screening appointment in England, but only 65% attended. This is much lower than the 80% target that has been set for screening in England.
In Spring 2025, researchers looked at what factors can influence how women feel about their breast screening appointment, and whether they attend.
They focussed on women between 50 and 70 years who are part of the NHS England Breast Screening Programme.
How did Voices get involved?
Voices were invited to take part in the project between mid-January and April 2025. Around 250 people across England took part in the study.
They completed a survey which asked questions such as nationality, marital status, religion, and family history of breast cancer.
Participants were also asked about their level of breast cancer awareness and their feelings about breast screening.
What’s happened so far?
Initial findings from the study show that people who are more likely to attend their breast screening appointment:
- Have been to University
- Are at a higher risk of breast cancer
- Understand the benefits of breast screening in detecting breast cancer early
- Understand why self-checking is important
Some of the factors that might stop people from attending their breast screening appointments include:
- Being embarrassed about screening (eg undressing in front of medical staff)
- Worry about mammograms being painful
- Worry about breast cancer
What are the next steps?
The researchers have written some recommendations for future NHS breast screening campaigns which should:
- Highlight the benefits of early breast cancer detection through breast screening and self-checking
- Address the barriers to breast screening and debunk the myths that exist. This is especially relevant for people from ethnic minorities or lower socioeconomic backgrounds
Get involved
Find more research projects, like this one, to take part in and help create positive change for people affected by breast cancer.