Breast cancer screening in County Durham

Healthwatch County Durham undertook research on the uptake of breast cancer screening and women’s experiences of the screening service across the county. The work was carried out during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 2017 and involved 478 women, including 332 online survey responses and 146 face-to-face interviews gathered at community events and venues throughout County Durham. 

The research found that breast screening was generally well regarded, with many women describing the service as professional, efficient and delivered by friendly and supportive staff. Of the women aged 47-70 and over who responded, most had attended screening appointments within the previous three years. However, Healthwatch found that the main reason for non-attendance was not receiving an appointment letter, while other barriers included inconvenient appointment times, unsuitable locations, concerns about discomfort, and difficulties for wheelchair users and women with mobility impairments. 

Women highlighted challenges when trying to rearrange appointments, with some reporting that promised replacement appointments never arrived. First-time attendees also said they would have benefited from more information about what to expect. Concerns were raised about the accessibility of screening equipment for disabled women, confusion about screening eligibility after the age of 70, and experiences where staff appeared to underestimate the anxiety or discomfort associated with mammograms. 

Healthwatch recommended simplifying the process for changing appointments, introducing appointment confirmation systems, providing clearer information for first-time attendees, improving staff awareness of patients’ anxieties and discomfort, ensuring services are accessible for women with disabilities, and raising awareness that women over 70 can continue to access screening through self-referral.