ONLY 66 per cent of eligible women attended a routine breast screening appointment in 2012/13, compared to the North West average of 70 per cent, according to NHS papers.

East Lancashire Breast Screening Service’s annual report said: “The overall percentage of eligible women attending screening for East Lancashire does not meet both the minimum or achievable standards set out in the National Service Specification for a Breast Screening Service.

“The overall North West regional average, however, also just falls short of the national minimum standard.”