‘Screen for breast cancer at 40 to save thousands of lives’

THOUSANDS of lives could be saved if women were screened for breast cancer from the age of 40 rather than 50, the surgeon who treated the Duchess of York said.

- By Lucy Johnston SOCIAL AFFAIRS EDITOR

At present, women are invited for screening at 50 but Dr Christina Choy fears the current screening system is missing cancer cases because women are not called for mammograms early enough.

Sarah Ferguson, 65, only discovered she had breast cancer after a routine mammogram and received treatment last summer at the King Edward VII's Hospital, a clinic favoured by the royals.

The Duchess, who became a patron of Prevent Breast Cancer, said it was “thanks to my mammogram that I’m here today”.

About 10,000 women under 50 are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, including 2,400 in their thirties. It is the leading cause of death in women aged 35 to 50.

Dr Choy, who has treated patients as young as 23, said screening between the ages of 40 and 45 and until 75 would ensure more cases are picked up — a move that would bring the UK into line with other European nations, as well as America and Australia.