The Department of Health has estimated that up to 270 women between the ages of 50 and 70 are likely to have lost their lives because a computer error led to them not receiving invitations for breast screening (Report, 3 May). NHS websites tell us the risk of breast cancer increases with age. It is therefore difficult to understand why women over 70 are no longer invited for screening as a matter of policy. Perhaps the Department of Health could tell us how many women over 70 have had their lives shortened by this policy. It is hard to imagine what the reasoning behind it could possibly be, except perhaps that women over 70 are, well … dispensable.
Diana Roxburgh (aged 78)
London
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters
