Health charities are sounding the alarm at the way people are withdrawing their cancer cover as figures show how effective tests are at catching early cancers.
The breast, bowel and cervical cancer screening programs have a combined total of 90,000 cancers detected between 2019 and 2023, according to an analysis by Cancer Research UK (CRUK).
This includes 62,000 cases of breast cancer, 23,000 cases of bowel cancer and 4,400 cases of cervical cancer.
But the charity expressed concern over reducing participation in breast screening and cervical cancer tests.
About 70% of the electorate take the offer for colon cancer screening, 69% of those invited take part in cervical cancer screening and 65% take part in breast cancer screening.
The charity said the proportion of people offering to breastfeed has not reached the levels it did before the pandemic – 71.1% took up the offer in 2019.
Cervical cancer screening has declined steadily over the last decade – from 74.2% in 2014 to 68.7% in 2023.
CRUK called for action to make screening easier to access for people in England, allowing people to book hours.
The charity’s chief executive Michelle Mitchell said increasing access to screening “improves the chances of catching cancer early”.
The NHS The target to diagnose 75% of all cancers at an early stage (stage 1 or 2) by 2028 is “not on track”, but better screening will be “vital” to achieving this goal, it is said.
Cicero said:
Doing more digital screening, and better data collection to identify who is and is not progressing, will help people who now want to target their institutions, but would like to be present. This is essential – better access to screening means better chances of catching cancer early.
CRUK’s senior health manager, Dr Claire Knight, added: “There are three screening programs available for different groups of people – you can find out if you’re eligible on the NHS website. For most people, if you’re registered with a GP, you’re automatically invited for screening, but you’ll talk to your doctor, if you are not sure.
“Inviting your screening will also come with information about the process. Make sure you read this before you decide whether you want to attend.
“It is important to remember that cancer screening is for people without symptoms though. If you notice any changes that are not normal for you do not wait to invite your next screening, talk to your doctor. It probably won’t be cancer, but if it is, spotting it early means that treatment is likely to prosperous.”
A Department of Health and a Social Care spokesperson said: “When it comes to fighting cancer, every second counts and as these figures show, our screening programs are detecting thousands of cases.
“We encourage everyone to get screened for the condition because earlier diagnosis leads to more effective treatment and can save lives.
“As part of our Transformation strategy, we will make the NHS fit for the future and fight cancer on all fronts – through prevention, faster diagnosis, treatment and research.”