Cancer Research UK-funded work helped to develop the breast cancer screening programme. Since it started, the programme has screened more than 14 million women and detected over 80,000 cancers. This early diagnosis has meant thousands of women have been treated promptly, saving many lives.

In the 1960s we first tested mammography as a way of diagnosing early breast cancer. And in 1995, our research showed that two x-rays were better than one – detecting more cancers. Two-view mammography, as it is known, is now used by all the national screening centres.

In 2002, Cancer Research UK scientists published results showing that breast cancer screening could reduce the need for mastectomy – surgery to remove the whole breast.

Cancer Research UK-funded scientists are finding out if computers can help to detect breast cancer. They are running a trial to test whether a computer programme called CAD can help doctors to detect abnormalities on mammograms. If it is successful, CAD could help to relieve pressure on the NHS breast screening service.

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