Charity chief in call to save breast cancer care helpline from cutbacks

The chief executive of the Breast Cancer Care charity has called for a free hotline which helped thousands of women after the recent screening scandal to be saved from cutbacks.

Samia al Qadhi said the charity had been “devastated” after having to cut its helpline’s opening hours earlier this year to make savings.

A computer error has been blamed for 450,000 women aged 68 to 71 not being invited to their final routine NHS screening.

Between 135 and 270 women potentially had their lives shortened as a result of the breast cancer screening error, according to the Government.

The charity said the crisis shows how vital its helpline is.

In calling for donations, Ms al Qadhi said: “With the letters from Public Health England now landing on doormats of women who may not have been invited for their last routine breast screening appointment, we anticipate that even more women will turn to us for support.

“And we want to know we can be there for everyone who needs us.”

The helpline is available on 0808 800 6000.

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