More women aged 50 – 70 are failing to turn up for breast cancer checks, say charity Breast Cancer Now, which points out that in the year 2017-2018 year 750,000 women at possible risk failed to show, the highest figure ever recorded.

The disease, the most common type of cancer, is diagnosed in 55,000 women every year and kills 11,500, and the purpose of the screening is to diagnose in the earlier, more easily treatable stages.