Calls to use breast checks to cut obesity

Campaigners have called for health chiefs in England to follow Scotland’s lead by giving weight loss advice to women during breast screenings.

A programme which sees women given health, exercise and diet advice when they go for mammograms, is being extended in Scotland after a successful trial.

The move is the first of its kind to use routine check-ups to directly target thousands of overweight patients north of the Border.

Now campaigners believe the ActWell scheme could also be a hit in England, where around two million women aged over 45 have breast cancer scans every year.

Dr Caitlin Barrand, head of policy at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: “There are proven steps that women can take to reduce their risk of breast cancer and many other diseases, such as maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular physical activity and limiting alcohol consumption.

“It’s important that women understand this and have the support they need to help them make healthier life choices should they wish to.

“As women age their risk of breast cancer increases, so it’s great that this Scottish pilot scheme aims to reach women over 50 attending breast screenings with healthy lifestyle information and support.

“Breakthrough will be following the progress with interest and if the results continue to be positive we see no reason why a similar approach couldn’t be tried out in England.”

The ActWell project comes after shocking figures revealed women in Britain are the fattest in Europe, with two-thirds of Scottish women now classed as overweight or obese.

Scottish Government-funded early trials of the intervention took place in Glasgow and Tayside, in which women going for routine breast checks were given a leaflet telling them about the programme and how they could take part.

Once they are signed up the women get advice from a lifestyle coach on how to improve diet and exercise and reduce alcohol intake.

Researchers found a “significant” weight loss in those women who took part, losing 2-6lb after three months and it will now be rolled out to more areas.

ActWell is led by Professor Annie Anderson of the Centre for Research into Cancer Prevention and Screening at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.

She said: “Patients receiving negative results, for example no cancer, may feel there is no need to modify their lifestyle.

“The intervention aimed to help women increase physical activity, modify diet, lower alcohol intake, and set weight management goals.

“The women interviewed had a very positive experience of ActWell. The results are encouraging and warrant further investigation.”

Jonathan Prince, a trustee at the Pink Ribbon Foundation, which funds breast cancer charities, also believes there could be merit in adopting the scheme in England.

He said: “So much of our health comes back to eating well and looking after yourself that it cannot be a bad thing.

“Looking after yourself is common sense. But sometimes you need to have a campaign to get common sense over.”

Tam Fry, spokesman for the National Obesity Forum, said lifestyle intervention programmes can be cost-effective in producing short-term results.

He said: “It is to be hoped that the researchers build on their work in such an important area.”

A Public Health England spokesperson said: “We always endorse that women in middle age continue to do exercise.

“It is a good way to protect against all cancers.”