Cutbacks may delay extension of breast screening programme

FEARS have been raised that cutbacks in health budgets will delay the planned nationwide extension of the national breast screening programme, BreastCheck, next year.

Cancer organisations have expressed concern that government pressure to slash health expenditure will adversely affect the programme designed to reduce high breast cancer rates.

BreastCheck has recently submitted a business plan to the Department of Health seeking funding for a major expansion of its services in 2003.