Missing First Breast Cancer Screening Linked to 40% Higher Death Risk, Study Finds

Women who skip their first breast cancer screening appointment face a 40% higher risk of dying from the disease, according to new research published in the British Medical Journal.The findings come from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, where experts analyzed the long-term health outcomes of nearly half a million women. All participants received their first screening invitation between 1991 and 2020, with researchers tracking them for up to 25 years.1 in 3 Women Missed Their First AppointmentThe study revealed that almost a third (32%) of women did not attend their first mammogram appointment. This early absence had far-reaching consequences.Data showed that women who missed their initial screening had 9.9 breast cancer deaths per 1,000 over 25 years, compared with seven deaths per 1,000