Breast cancer screening services in Scotland to restart in August

Breast cancer screening will start again in Scotland from the start of August - after it was halted back in March due to the pandemic.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman confirmed the national screening programme will restart from August 3 - although she conceded it will “take a bit of time” before the service is fully up and running again.

It comes more than three months after the Scottish Government “paused” cancer screening programmes at the end of March.

Women who should have had their breasts checked for signs of cancer over that period will be sent letters offering them appointments.

Women who are now due appointments as part of the routine screening process should also receive them.

Ms Freeman said: “It will take a bit of time to get the service fully up and running again but it is an important further step in restarting our important NHS activities.

“There will be no change to the screening test itself but additional measures have been introduced to allow the screening to take place in a safe environment.

“Staff will of course wear the necessary personal protective equipment and appointments will be staggered to ensure waiting areas are quieter and physical distancing can be observed.”

She said women who were invited for breast screening before the service was paused'' at the end of March and who have not been able to attend will now receive a letter giving them an appointment.

The Health Secretary added: “And invitations for breast cancer screening for those who would in normal course be due an invitation now will slowly start to resume this week as well.”

She insisted appointments had not been missed, saying: “We deliberately paused the programme in order to ensure nobody was missed and we know who all those women are who should have had a breast screening during the months of the pandemic, that is the group we now go back to and send those letters.”

Marion O'Neill from Cancer Research UK, described the announcement as “great news”.

She said: “Although breast cancer screening has both benefits and harms, we know cancer screening programmes saves lives.”

Ms O'Neill told women: “There may be some changes to what happens at your appointment because of Covid-19 and your results may be delayed, so it's more important than ever that you read the information provided. Ask at your appointment how long it might take and who to contact if you haven't heard in that time.

“It is important to remember that screening is for healthy people with no symptoms. If you notice any unusual changes to your body that don't go away, talk to your doctor.”

Janice Preston, of Macmillan Cancer Support, also welcomed the move, saying: “It has been a very, anxious time for women who have had their appointments cancelled or paused during these exceptional circumstances for health and care services.

“It is vital that the new appointment letters include details of the safety measures being put in place to reassure people they are being cared for in a safe environment and ensuring that they don't further delay their attendance for screening.

“In the meantime, if anyone is worried about a possible sign or symptom of cancer, they should contact their GP.”

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