Jersey women will be automatically invited to a potentially lifesaving breast cancer screening when they turn 50.

This new scheme is being rollout from Health and Community Services (HCS) next year.

It is all thanks for a new mammography machine worth £255,000 being donated to Jersey's health service by the John Clive Le Seelleur Trust. 

Over half a million pounds worth of funding has also been gifted by Jersey Cancer Relief, which will go towards paying for staff to operate the machine. 

A second mammogram machine will also be installed, replacing HCS' old machine, in the first quarter of 2025.

It's hoped that having two pieces of this vital equipment will bring halve waiting times for breast screenings in the island. 

This new machine also marks the start of a transition where women over 50 in Jersey will now have to 'opt out' of their breast cancer screenings rather than 'opt in'. 

Over the next two years, women who are eligible for the screening but who have not previously signed up will be invited for a mammogram. 

It's estimated that 4000 women in the island, a third of those who qualify for a screening, have not registered with the breast screening service.

After the two years it is thought to take for HCS to work through this backlog and get every eligible woman who wants to be tested screened, which expected to be completed in 2027, the automatic callup for women who just turn 50 will begin. 

Assistant Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Andy Howell, said:

“I’m delighted to announce changes to our breast screening programme which will both improve a woman’s access to care and their experience as a patient.

“I would like to thank Jersey Cancer Relief and The John Clive Le Seelleur Trust for their incredible support which means that we can ensure that all women are invited for breast screening when they become eligible.

"Early detection is vital in saving lives."