Welcome to the Breast Test Wales Website

 

Breast Test Wales (BTW) was established in 1988 to deliver the National Health Service breast screening programme in Wales. Screening started in February 1989. BTW is divided into three geographical divisions with centres in Cardiff, Swansea and Llandudno (with its new satellite centre in Wrexham). Ten mobile units work across Wales to support these centres, visiting over 100 sites in every three year round of screening.

 

 

Breast Cancers in Wales

In Wales, about one in three breast cancer cases are diagnosed through screening (Breast Test Wales, which is part of Velindre NHS Trust). Most of the rest are diagnosed in hospital breast clinics, managed by the local NHS Trusts. A small number are diagnosed in the private sector.

The proportion of women diagnosed through screening is expected to rise, as in 2006 the age at which women are automatically invited was increased to 70.

Year	Breast cancers diagnosed through screening	Breast cancers diagnosed through the symptomatic service
1989	63	1529
1990	108	1601
1991	165	1590
1992	397	1392
1993	435	1652
1994	593	1540
1995	456	1738
1996	378	1544
1997	428	1555
1998	490	1582
1999	498	1430
2000	561	1712
2001	566	1558
2002	653	1477
2003	739	1579
2004	673	1682
2005	805	1509
2006	858	not yet available

 

 

Last updated: August 2008