New statistics show a marked improvement in the number of cancers detected by breast screening.

In 2003/04 over 14 per cent more cancers were found than in the previous year.

Over 11,000 women had the disease detected and treated after screening.

New statistics show a marked improvement in the number of cancers detected by breast screening.

In 2003/04 over 14 per cent more cancers were found than in the previous year.

Over 11,000 women had the disease detected and treated after screening.

Of those, nearly half were smaller cancers that could only be picked up through screening.

The increase in the number of cancers being detected by screening is largely due to a programme of investment in new technology, says the Department of Health.

'Two-view' mammography involves taking two images of each breast at every screen instead of just at the first.

An extra £11.5 million has also allowed the screening programme to be extended to women aged 65-70.

Health Secretary John Reid commented:

"The breast screening programme...is making a real difference to over a million women by giving them peace of mind that they are being checked for this disease every three years."

Breast screening is a method of detecting breast cancer at a very early stage. The first step involves an x-ray of each breast known as a mammogram.

The NHS Breast Screening Programme provides free breast screening every three years for all women in the UK aged 50 and over. Women aged between 50 and 70 are currently invited every three years.

There are over 90 breast screening units across the UK, which can be mobile, hospital based, or located at another convenient centre.