Record number of free mammograms in 2009

More than 121,000 women have received free mammograms in 2009, it emerged today.

Breastcheck says that is the highest number screened in any year to date and is almost double the number checked in 2007.

Of the women screened, 5,600 were called for re-assessment and 845 were diagnosed with cancer.

The diagnoses represent seven cancers per 1,000 women screened, a slight drop on 2008.

The uptake of first screening is highest in the youngest age group, 50 to 54-year-olds.