Thousands of lives could be saved thanks to a new move that will see cancer screening revolutionised for thousands of women.
Beginning next month, the NHS will begin rolling out a new system that will alert women via their phone, reminding them that they are either due or overdue an appointment to screen for cancer. This will be followed next year by the ability to book screening appointments through the NHS app, with functionality currently being developed.
This comes as NHS breast cancer screenings were able to detect cancers in 18,942 women last year alone across England, with these potentially not having been diagnosed and treated until later on without the screenings. Despite the increase in uptake last year, more than a third of women did not take up the offer of screening after being invited, with more than two million eligible women not having a mammogram in the last three years.
Through the new measure, invitations for breast screening will be sent directly to women via the NHS app, with this being expanded to cover cervical screening in spring. From early 2026, millions of women will be given the ability to book breast screening appointments through the app.
NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard announced the measure during her speech at the NHS Providers’ annual conference, saying:
“We’re making massive strides with the NHS App, with patients getting more information, convenience and control over their own care, while helping us to work more productively too.
“We are really excited by the potential of technology to revolutionise access to cancer screening for women and help ensure everyone eligible can make the most of these life-saving services at the touch of a button.
“Next month we’re starting the rollout of a new ‘ping and book’ approach for breast and cervical checks through the NHS App, which will replace costs of letters and text messages with pop-ups on your phone and help make it as convenient as possible to book appointments.”
This move comes as part of NHS reforms that will digitise screening delivery across the NHS, making it easier for women to take up the offer of screening whilst also helping to save the NHS more than £130 million over the next five years.
Image credit: iStock
