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HEALTH PROFESSIONALS > DISCUSSION TOPICS > CANCER SCREENING > THE VALUE OF SCREENINGThe value of screening
Screening saves lives. The cervical screening programme gives an example of how valuable screening can be. Death rates from cancer of the cervix in England and Wales have been falling since 1950. It is estimated that since 1988 the introduction of cervical screening has saved around 4,500 women’s lives every year (1).
Over 14 million women have had breast screening in the UK since the breast screening programme was set up in 1988. In that time it has found more than 80,000 cancers.
In women who have breast screening most cancers are found at an early stage when there is a good chance of recovery. In the UK more than half of the breast cancers found through screening are found very early (2).
Content last reviewed: 01 September 2006
Page last modified: 19 August 2008
Page last modified: 19 August 2008