Breast cancer fears for almost 1,500 women at ‘very high risk’ of the disease after NHS error meant they were not invited for annual check-ups

Almost 1,500 women at “very high risk” of breast cancer have missed annual check-ups that could save their lives due to a blunder.

NHS bosses have written to all the women affected, apologizing for the mistake which dates back 20 years.

An urgent recovery program offers all 1,487 women a scan over the next three months.

The error meant that women who received above-the-waist radiotherapy treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma between 1962 and 2003 were not contacted to attend annual breast cancer screenings.

As a result of their treatment, the group is at increased risk of contracting the disease.

The NHS has insisted it has been transparent about the issue and has sought to reassure women that they will all be offered a scan “urgently” within the next three months.

Health authorities have also identified a “much smaller historical group” whose details are currently being verified and will be written to in the coming weeks.

Women do not begin annual MRI testing immediately after treatment, but rather eight to 15 years after treatment, depending on their age at the time they were treated.

But in 2003, doctors were asked to contact former and current patients to refer them for annual check-ups. This was not done.

Officials said details of the 1,487 women who were missing were shared with NHS England in late September 2023, who identified the affected women.

Ministers were notified of the error last month.

Steve Russell, NHS national director of vaccination and screening, said: “The NHS is contacting 1,487 women at increased risk of breast cancer because they have had radiotherapy to the chest for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, who are “They may not yet have been offered additional annual screening.”

“While the majority of these women are already enrolled in the NHS Breast Screening Program for regular mammograms, all affected women will now be offered support and will be invited to an annual MRI scan and, in most cases, to an annual mammogram as soon as possible; the NHS aims to complete this within three months.

‘We would like to extend our sincere apologies to those affected for any additional concerns this may have caused.

“Anyone who has had prior radiotherapy to the chest for the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma and is concerned about not being invited for an annual MRI can call our dedicated helpline for support and more information.”

NHS England has set up a helpline for affected women, details of which will be included in letters sent to them.

It will also undertake a review of the process that refers these women to the service most appropriate to their risk to mitigate any future impact of this issue.