The latest official statistics have brought to light an extremely worrisome trend in Scotland. The NHS in Scotland claims that women residing in less affluent areas of Scotland are least likely to go in for vital screening for breast cancer.

However, the brighter side of the picture is that the rate of screening for breast cancer surpassed the national targets. The figures reveal that of the women between the age of 50 and 70 years, 77% were screened on a regular basis and the national target was over-achieved by 70%.

As per the numbers, the NHS reported that there was a direct relation between the area of residence of a woman and the screening for breast cancer. It is reported that the number of appointments varied directly in relation to the area of residency and its affluence.

The screening rate for the most affluent area was 81.6% and the figures for the least affluent area stood at 65.5%.

To support the figures further, it is reported that between the years 1994 and 2005 in Scotland, the death rate from breast cancer had slid by 23%. But on the other hand, as per the research the death rate that was witnessed among the poorer women was much higher.

Commenting on the trend, Audrey Birt, Director for Scotland at the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said that the attendance for the screening was extremely low in poorer areas.

Further, Dr. Richard Simpson, Labor’s Health Spokesman, said that in order to combat breast cancer screening was extremely important irrespective of the woman’s background.