Breast cancer checks missing most women under 50 who are at risk, says study

A new study has highlighted the inadequacy of current NHS breast cancer screening criteria for women under 50, who are often missed by the existing guidelines. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidelines focus solely on inherited genes, overlooking other risk factors such as lifestyle. Researchers from Cambridge University and the Institute of Cancer Research found that up to 95% of women under 50 at higher risk of developing breast cancer are not identified by the current criteria.

Using a new risk assessment tool, Boadicea, they identified eight times as many women in this age group who developed breast cancer. The study suggests that if all women under 50 were to undergo this risk assessment, about a quarter would be categorized as at above-average risk and referred for further assessment. However, the current Nice criteria would only refer 1.4% of women under 50, including only 4.4% who develop breast cancer.

The researchers recommend that the NHS review its breast cancer screening criteria in light of these findings, while acknowledging the potential for increased workload and anxiety for some women.

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