Researchers Warn NHS Breast Cancer Screening Criteria May Miss Most High-Risk Women Under 50

Researchers Warn NHS Breast Cancer Screening Criteria May Miss Most High-Risk Women Under 50 Researchers have warned that the National Health Service NHS breast cancer screening criteria for women under the age of 50 may be too restrictive, potentially missing up to 95 per cent of those at a higher risk of developing the disease. The findings suggest that the current eligibility guidelines, which focus largely on women with a strong family history of breast cancer or known inherited genetic mutations, fail to identify many younger women whose overall risk is elevated due to a combination of genetic, lifestyle and reproductive factors. The study found that many women who later develop breast cancer do not meet the existing threshold for enhanced screening, meaning they are unlikely to receive earlier mammograms or additional monitoring before routine NHS screening begins at age 50. Researchers argue that adopting more comprehensive risk assessment tools including genetic risk scores, breast density, family history and other personal health factors could help identify women who would benefit from earlier and more frequent screening. They say a more personalised approach could improve early detection, when treatment is generally more effective and survival rates are higher. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in the United Kingdom, with early diagnosis playing a critical role in improving treatment outcomes. Health experts note that while routine screening has helped reduce mortality, expanding access to women identified as being at increased risk could further enhance the programme’s effectiveness. The researchers have called for a review of the NHS screening strategy to ensure that more high-risk women under 50 are identified before symptoms develop. They emphasised that improving risk assessment, rather than simply lowering the screening age for everyone, could make breast cancer screening more targeted and effective.