SOUTH Swindon MP Julia Drown is urging women to keep their breast screening appoint-ments.

Ms Drown has joined forces with Breakthrough Breast Cancer, the UK's leading breast cancer charity, to highlight the need for all women aged 50 and over to attend their breast-screening appointments when invited.

Breast screening invites are sent to all women aged between 50 and 65 every three years. This will be extended to 70 later this year.

New research from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer and Breakthrough reveals not all women in this age group are taking advantage of the service.

According to a report published this month, one in six women not attending their breast screening invitations say it is because the appointment given to them was inconvenient.

The research also suggests that many women aged 50 and over underestimate the benefits of the breast screening programme.

Ms Down said: "The earlier breast cancer is detected the better your chances of survival."