Royal Free London expands breast screening service

A hospital trust says it has almost doubled the size of its breast screening service, making it the largest provider in England.

The Royal Free London (RFL) NHS Foundation Trust will now provide screening to all women aged 50 to 71 across north, east and west London.

The move brings an extra 310,000 women into the service, taking the total number served to 750,000.

A trust spokesperson said it would offer patients greater choice over locations and more flexibility when booking appointments.

The RFL is now responsible for the West of London and Outer North East London Breast Screening Services.

That adds to the RFL's existing network of the North London Breast Screening Service, including residents in west Hertfordshire, the Central and East London Breast Screening Service and the London Breast Screening Programme Administration Hub.

To support the expansion, 80 new members of staff have joined the team, bringing the total department headcount to more than 220, including mammographers, radiographers, clinical nurse specialists and administrative staff, the RFL said.

Marietta Martin, who started treatment for breast cancer four years ago, was diagnosed after she went for a routine screening.

"It's crucial because I had no symptoms at all," she said.

"I had no lumps, no pain, no bumps, nothing. So having gone for that screening, I would not be here."

Dr William Teh, consultant radiologist and director of breast screening at the RFL, emphasised the critical nature of early attendance.

"We know how important it is for women invited for screening to attend their appointments," Teh said.

"Three quarters of women are diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 which means much less aggressive treatments and better long-term outcomes."

Teh added that every year, the screening pathway alone diagnoses roughly 2,000 breast cancers in London.

The expansion means the service now covers all of the North Thames area.

Claire Mabena, lead clinical nurse specialist, said the larger geographic coverage would benefit patients who commute.

"It means because we cover such a large area, ladies can have choice with regard to where they go," she said.

The service is also offering extended days and weekend appointments to accommodate patients.

Efetobore Emueje, who discovered a lump that almost went unnoticed, urged women not to let anxiety delay them.

"If you get an [invitation] letter, just go for it," she said, and not to put it off over a "fear of what they're going to find out".

The RFL currently ranks eighth out of 119 trusts nationally for the percentage of patients treated for cancer within 62 days of referral, making it one of only 10 trusts in the country meeting this target.

The trust receives almost 66,000 suspected cancer referrals annually, the highest volume in London.

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